Measuring oxygen levels in prostate cancer using PET scans

A Feasibility Study of Hypoxia Imaging in Patients With Prostate Cancer Using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) With 18F-Fluoroazomycin Arabinoside (18F-FAZA)

Not applicable Interventional University Health Network, Toronto · NCT01567800

This study is testing a special type of PET scan to see if measuring low oxygen levels in prostate cancer patients can help understand how the cancer grows and responds to treatments.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment20 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexMale
SponsorUniversity Health Network, Toronto Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations1 site (Toronto, Ontario)
Trial IDNCT01567800 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to investigate low oxygen levels, known as hypoxia, in prostate cancer patients through a specialized imaging technique called positron emission tomography (PET) scan using 18F-Fluoroazomycin Arabinoside (18F-FAZA). The research focuses on understanding how hypoxia may influence the growth of prostate cancer and its response to treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. By utilizing PET scans, the study seeks to provide a more effective and straightforward method for assessing hypoxia compared to previous techniques.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older with a histologic diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the prostate, particularly those with bulky intermediate risk, high risk, or metastatic disease.

Not a fit: Patients who are unable to lie supine for more than 60 minutes or those without a diagnosis of prostate cancer may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved treatment strategies for prostate cancer by better understanding the role of hypoxia in tumor behavior.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using PET scans for similar assessments, indicating that this approach may be effective.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age =\> 18 years
* Histologic diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the prostate
* Bulky intermediate risk, high risk or metastatic prostate cancer

Bulky intermediate risk: cT1-2 with \>50% of diagnostic biopsy cores containing cancer and Gleason 6 or 7 and prostate specific antigen (PSA) \>10 and ≤20 OR

High risk:

cT1-2 with Gleason score ≥8; or cT1-2 with PSA \>20; or cT3 OR N+ and/or M1 disease OR Newly diagnosed hormone-refractory prostate cancer - Intention to treat using radiotherapy +/- concurrent and adjuvant hormonal therapy

* Intention to treat with radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, other systemic treatment for prostate cancer, or a combination of these according to the Princess Margaret Genitourinary Site policies.
* Previous or concurrent anti-cancer therapy for the PET FAZA target lesion allowed
* Ability to provide written informed consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Inability to lie supine for more than 60 minutes
* Patients taking the drug disulfiram (Antabuse)
* Contraindications for MRI: only applicable in cases where the PET FAZA target lesion is identified as the prostate gland. Patients with target lesions at other anatomic sites will not undergo MR imaging.
* Patients weighing \> 136 kg

Where this trial is running

Toronto, Ontario

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Prostate CancerProcedure/Surgery: 18F-Fluoroazomycin Arabinoside
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.