Mini-tumors to guide treatment for aggressive prostate cancer
Preclinical ex Vivo Patient-derived 3D Cultures for the Prediction of Prostate Cancer Treatment Response
We will grow tiny, patient-derived mini-tumors in the lab to test which treatments work best for men with aggressive or metastatic prostate cancer.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 600 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Male |
| Sponsor | Maastricht Radiation Oncology Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | radiation |
| Locations | 3 sites (Heerlen, Limburg and 2 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07004582 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This project collects small fragments of a patient’s tumor obtained during HDR brachytherapy or transperineal biopsy and grows them into 3D mini-tumors that retain features of the original cancer. The team uses two different laboratory techniques to generate these ex vivo cultures and then applies different drugs or drug combinations to the mini-tumors to observe responses. Results aim to identify which therapies produce the strongest anti-tumor effect in each patient’s sample. The ultimate goal is to use those ex vivo drug responses to help guide more personalized treatment choices for men with high-risk or recurrent prostate cancer.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Men aged 18 or older with high-risk, recurrent, or metastatic prostate cancer who are scheduled for HDR brachytherapy or transperineal MRI-guided biopsy (at least clinical stage T3-4) and can provide leftover tumor tissue are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients who cannot provide spare tumor tissue for ex vivo culture or those with low-risk disease not undergoing the listed procedures are unlikely to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help personalize therapy by identifying treatments most likely to work for an individual patient and avoiding ineffective options.
How similar studies have performed: Patient-derived 3D culture and organoid platforms in other cancers have shown promising correlations with clinical drug response and early prostate cancer work is encouraging but remains investigational.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients aged 18 years or older * Patients with prostate cancer * Patients planned for HDR brachytherapy treatment for high-risk or recurrent prostate cancer or transperineal prostate biopsy with MRI-suspected metastatic prostate cancer with at least clinical stage T3-4. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients younger than 18 years * Patients of whom it is not possible to obtain left-over tissue as part of the normal clinical treatment procedure (e.g., if all tumor material is required for the pathologist to make a diagnosis, to stage the patient or to perform a molecular diagnosis).
Where this trial is running
Heerlen, Limburg and 2 other locations
- Zuyderland Medisch Centrum — Heerlen, Limburg, Netherlands (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Academisch Ziekenhuis Maastricht — Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Maastricht Radiation Oncology — Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Evert J Van Limbergen, PhD, MD — Maastricht Radiation Oncology
- Study coordinator: Iris EWG Laven, PhD
- Email: iris.laven@maastro.nl
- Phone: 0031(0)884455666
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.