Pre-surgery tirzepatide weight loss for overweight or obese men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer
Official title: Pre-Surgical Tirzepatide-Assisted Weight Loss in Overweight and Obese Men With Intermediate Risk Prostate Cancer: A Pilot Feasibility Study
Run by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center · NCT06759701 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This will try tirzepatide to help men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer lose weight before prostate removal surgery.
Quick facts
| Phase | Early Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Men only |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (Houston, Texas) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 2, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | September 25, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06759701 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are men aged 30–74 with histologically confirmed localized intermediate-risk prostate adenocarcinoma who have diabetes, meet overweight/obesity criteria (BMI ≥27 kg/m2 or waist >40 inches), and plan to undergo radical prostatectomy.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients without diabetes, those who are not overweight or obese, men with very low‑ or high‑risk or metastatic prostate cancer, or those not planning surgery are unlikely to benefit from this preoperative tirzepatide program.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This pilot feasibility study gives tirzepatide to men with intermediate-risk localized prostate cancer and diabetes who are planning radical prostatectomy, aiming for preoperative weight loss and metabolic changes. The primary aim is feasibility, judged by enrolling 30 patients in 2 years, retaining ≥90% through the day of surgery, and achieving ≥70% adherence to study sessions and clinic visits. Secondary analyses will compare changes in tumor and plasma sphingolipids, insulin signaling, inflammatory markers in prostate and periprostatic fat, tumor proliferation, cardiovascular risk markers, body composition by DEXA, weight, and gut microbiome diversity. Treatment and assessments occur at MD Anderson with a defined preoperative intervention period followed by collection of surgical specimens for molecular analyses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could produce meaningful preoperative weight loss and metabolic improvements and potentially alter tumor biology to improve surgical and long-term outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: GLP-1–based agents and tirzepatide have shown robust weight loss and metabolic benefit in other trials, but using tirzepatide specifically as a preoperative intervention in prostate cancer is novel and largely untested.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate that is localized (no metastatic lesions or concerning lymph nodes 1cm or greater) based on prostate MRI and meets NCCN intermediate risk criteria (as follows): * Clinical T2b-T2c or lower disease * Gleason Grade group 2 or 3 on biopsy * PSA ≤20 ng/mL * Desires radical prostatectomy (open or robotic) for prostate cancer management and is a surgical candidate as determined by the treating urologic oncologist * Adult men \>30 and \< 75 years old * Currently diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus and meet one of the following criteria for overweight or obesity: * Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than or equal to 27 kg/m2 * Waist circumference (\> 40 inches) -or- * Currently have a BMI greater or equal to 30 kg/m2 -or- * Currently have a BMI greater or equal to 27 kg/m2 with at least one weight-related condition, defined as one or more of the following: * Hypertension: treated or with systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥80 mmHg * Dyslipidemia: treated or with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) ≥160 mg/dL (4.1 mmol/L) or triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L), or high-density lipoprotein (HDL) \<40mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L) * Obstructive sleep apnea * Cardiovascular disease (for example, ischemic cardiovascular disease, New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Class I-III heart failure) Exclusion Criteria: * Prostate cancer that meets factors as part of NCCN high and very high-risk criteria (as follows): * pT3a or higher disease * Grade group 4 or 5 adenocarcinoma of prostate * Presence of metastatic disease on imaging * A history of intentional or unintentional weight loss of more than 5kg within 90 days of screening * Any prior androgen deprivation, chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation for PCa * Previous or planned surgical treatment for obesity or use of a medication that promotes weight loss within 90 days before screening * Have renal impairment measured as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \<30 as determine using standard MD Anderson laboratory measures * Have a known clinically significant gastric emptying abnormality (for example, severe diabetic gastroparesis or gastric outlet obstruction) or chronically take drugs that directly affect GI motility * Have had a history of chronic or acute pancreatitis * Have a history of significant active or unstable Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) or other severe psychiatric disorder (for example, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or other serious mood or anxiety disorder) within the last 2 years * Note: Patients with MDD or generalized anxiety disorder whose disease state is considered stable and expected to remain stable throughout the course of the study, in the opinion of the investigator, may be considered for inclusion if they are not on excluded medications * Have any of the following cardiovascular conditions within 3 months prior to study enrollment: acute myocardial infarction (MI), cerebrovascular accident (stroke), unstable angina, or hospitalization due to congestive heart failure (CHF) * Have NYHA Functional Classification IV CHF * Have acute or chronic hepatitis, signs, and symptoms of any other liver disease other than nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, or any of the following, as determined by the central laboratory during screening: - alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level \>3.0X the upper limit of normal (ULN) for the reference range or - alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level \>1.5X the ULN for the reference range or - total bilirubin level \>1.2X the ULN for the reference range (except for cases of known Gilbert's Syndrome) Note: Participants with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are eligible to participate in this trial if their ALT level is ≤3.0X the ULN for the reference range * Have a family or personal history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) Syndrome type 2 * Have a history of an active or untreated malignancy or are in remission from a clinically significant malignancy (other than basal- or squamous-cell skin cancer, in situ carcinomas of the cervix), other than prostate cancer, for less than 5 years * Have any other condition not listed in this section (for example, hypersensitivity or intolerance) that is a contraindication to GLP-1R agonists * Have a history of any other condition (such as known drug or alcohol abuse, diagnosed eating disorder, or other psychiatric disorder) that, in the opinion of the investigator, may preclude the participant from following and completing the protocol * Have history of use of marijuana within 3 months of enrollment and unwillingness to abstain from marijuana use during the trial. Participants should also refrain from use of cannabidiol oil for the duration of the study * Have had a transplanted organ (corneal transplants \[keratoplasty\] allowed) or awaiting an organ transplant.
Where it's running
-
The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Justin Gregg, MD — M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Justin Gregg, MD
- Email: jrgregg@mdanderson.org
- Phone: (713) 792-3250
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Mobile health outreach for men's cancer screening
This study is testing a mobile health service that brings cancer screening directly to men at their workplaces, especially those in high-risk groups, to help them get checked for prostate cancer and other urological issues.
-
Raising gut Akkermansia muciniphila with oral acetate (apple cider vinegar) during androgen deprivation therapy
This tests whether taking oral acetate (apple cider vinegar) can raise Akkermansia muciniphila levels in the gut and help metabolic and bone health in men starting androgen deprivation therapy for metastatic castration‑sensitive prostate cancer.
-
Targeted alpha therapy for B7-H3 expressing solid tumors using AKY-2519
This phase 1b trial tests a radiolabeled drug (AKY-2519) to see if it's safe and tolerable in adults with B7-H3 positive advanced solid tumors, including NSCLC and SCLC, with imaging to help guide use.
-
PSMA-guided surgery and tissue-resident T cells in node-positive prostate cancer
This study tests whether PSMA-guided surgery can help identify and study tissue-resident T cells in prostate cancer that has spread to lymph nodes.
-
Predictive factors for response to Lu-177 PSMA therapy in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer
This study tests whether imaging, dose measurements, and blood tests can predict which men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer will respond to Lu-177 PSMA therapy.
-
Salvage high-dose-rate brachytherapy for locally recurrent prostate cancer
This observational study tests whether salvage HDR brachytherapy can help men with locally recurrent prostate cancer after initial radiotherapy, using advanced imaging and biopsy to guide treatment.
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.