Mini-tumors to guide treatment for aggressive prostate cancer
Official title: Preclinical ex Vivo Patient-derived 3D Cultures for the Prediction of Prostate Cancer Treatment Response
Run by Maastricht Radiation Oncology · NCT07004582 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Men only |
| Enrollment | 600 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Maastricht Radiation Oncology Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | radiation |
| Locations | 3 sites (Heerlen, Limburg and 2 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 15, 2026 |
| Main results expected | September 30, 2031 |
| Study ends | December 30, 2031 |
| Registry record updated | April 23, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07004582 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a 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.
✕Probably 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.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: 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.
Who can join: the full rules
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 it's running
-
Maastricht Radiation Oncology
Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands Recruiting -
Zuyderland Medisch Centrum
Heerlen, Limburg, Netherlands Not yet recruiting -
Academisch Ziekenhuis Maastricht
Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands Not yet 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
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.