Clinical trial Recruiting at 6 sites Phase 2 Interventional Ages 18 and up Men only

Using apalutamide for men with early prostate cancer on active surveillance

Official title: Targeted Drug Intervention in Men at Risk of Progression on Active Surveillance for Early Prostate Cancer: A Randomised Trial - Therapeutics in Active Prostate Cancer Surveillance (TAPS02).

Run by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust · NCT05191680 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study tests if a medication called apalutamide can help men with early prostate cancer who are being closely monitored feel better and have improved outcomes.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexMen only
Enrollment90 (estimated)
SponsorCambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Academic / other
Locations6 sites (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire and 5 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedApril 24, 2023
Main results expectedOctober 2029
Study endsOctober 2029
Registry record updatedJune 20, 2025
Trial IDNCT05191680 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are men aged 18 or older with prostate cancer who have chosen active surveillance and have MRI detectable lesions.

Probably not a fit

Patients who are not on active surveillance or those requiring immediate surgical intervention for bladder outlet issues may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This phase 3, randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigates the effectiveness of short-term androgen deprivation therapy using apalutamide (Erleada) in men who are on active surveillance for prostate cancer. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either apalutamide or a placebo while their prostate cancer is monitored. The study aims to determine if this treatment can improve outcomes for patients with detectable lesions. The trial will include various clinical assessments to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a new therapeutic option for men with early-stage prostate cancer, potentially improving their management and outcomes.

How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise in using androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer, suggesting that this approach may be beneficial, although this specific application is being tested in a novel context.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
INCLUSION CRITERIA

To be included in the trial the patient must:

* Have given written informed consent to participate.
* Be aged 18 or over.
* Have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) status 0-2.
* Have selected active surveillance as a management option.
* Have an MRI detectable lesion with an M score of ≥ 3 using Likert scale OR PI-RADS (version 2.1) reporting criteria. If M score is 3 then lesion size (single or combined) of ≥10mm.
* Have prostate cancer from a combination of image guided targeted + systematic biopsies and MRI lesion and biopsy are concordant for a prostate cancer diagnosis.
* Not anticipated to require bladder outlet surgery during IMP treatment or for up to 12 months of follow-up.
* Meet all of the following clinical laboratory assessment criteria:

  * Haemoglobin ≥ 9.0 g/dL, independent of transfusion and/or growth factors within 3 months prior to randomisation.
  * Platelet count ≥ 100 x 109/L independent of transfusion and/or growth factors within 3 months prior to randomisation.
  * Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1.0 x 109/L within 21 days prior to randomisation.
  * Serum albumin ≥ 3.0 g/dL within 21 days prior to randomisation.
  * Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) ≥ 30 ml/min AND Serum creatinine ≤ 3 times the ULN (calculated by Cockcroft and Gault equation using actual body weight) within 21 days prior to randomisation.
  * Serum potassium ≥3.5 mmol/L within 21 days prior to randomisation.
  * Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤2.5 × ULN AND Serum total bilirubin ≤1.5 × ULN within 21 days prior to randomisation (Note: In patients with confirmed Gilbert's syndrome, if total bilirubin is \>1.5 × ULN, measure direct and indirect bilirubin and if direct bilirubin is ≤1.5 × ULN, patient may be eligible in consultation with their physician).
* Have prostate cancer with any one or more of the following:

  * CPG2 (based on Grade Group 2 on histology)
  * CPG1 (based on Grade Group 1 on histology) with PSA high density (PSAd \>0.15) and LIKERT or PI-RADS 4/5 lesion (individual or combined) of ≥10mm size.
  * CPG1 with PSA high density (PSAd \>0.15) and ≥50% biopsy core involvement (number of positive cores/all cores taken) with target biopsies counted as one if LIKERT or PI-RADS 3 lesion

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

The presence of any of the following will preclude patient inclusion:

* Contraindications to apalutamide or its excipients.
* Pelvic metalwork interfering with MRI prostate interpretation.
* Any prior or concurrent use of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) or androgen receptor targeting agents (not including established and continued use of 5-ARIs for urinary symptoms).
* Systemic therapy for prostate cancer.
* Inability for patient to have prostate MRI scan.
* Concurrent involvement in a Clinical Trial of Investigational Medicinal Product (CTIMP); participation in an observational trial/studies is acceptable.
* Seizure or known condition that may pre-dispose to seizure (including but not limited to the following within 1 year prior to randomisation: prior stroke, transient ischemic attack, loss of consciousness, brain arteriovenous malformation; or intracranial masses such as schwannomas and meningiomas that are causing oedema or mass effect).
* Medications known to lower the seizure threshold or cause seizures must be discontinued or substituted at least 28 days prior to randomisation.
* In the opinion of investigator, patient is at increased risk of falls or fractures.
* Severe/unstable angina, myocardial infarction, symptomatic congestive heart failure, arterial or venous thromboembolic events (e.g., pulmonary embolism, cerebrovascular accident including transient ischemic attacks), or clinically significant ventricular arrhythmias within 6 months prior to randomisation. Cardiovascular risk factors should be optimised i.e. hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia.
* Uncontrolled hypertension (SBP ≥ 160 mmHg or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg). Patients with a history of uncontrolled hypertension are allowed provided blood pressure is controlled by anti-hypertensive treatment.
* Gastrointestinal disorder affecting absorption.
* Medicinal products known to prolong the QT interval or medicinal products able to induce Torsade de pointes such as class IA (e.g., quinidine, disopyramide) or class III (e.g., amiodarone, sotalol, dofetilide, ibutilide) antiarrhythmic medicinal products, methadone, moxifloxacin, antipsychotics (e.g. haloperidol). Alternative therapy, for the prohibited medication known to prolong the QTc, may be inistigated. A minimum washout for the discontinued medication of ≥ 4 half-lives is required prior to starting IMP.
* Symptoms suggestive of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)/toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN).

Where it's running

  • Addenbrooke's Hospital
    Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Southmead Hospital
    Bristol, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • West Suffolk Hospital
    Bury St Edmunds, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Darent Valley Hospital
    Dartford, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • St Bartholomew's Hospital
    London, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • The Royal Marsden Hospital - Chelsea
    London, United Kingdom
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Vincent J Gnanapragasam, Prof. — Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • Study coordinator: Elizabeth Young
  • Email: cuh.taps02trial@nhs.net
  • Phone: 01223 256364

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.