Using aspirin and rintatolimod with or without interferon-alpha 2b to treat prostate cancer before surgery

Randomized Phase 2 Study: Neoadjuvant Conditioning of Prostate Cancer Tumor Microenvironment Using a Novel Chemokine-Modulating Regimen

Phase 2 Interventional Roswell Park Cancer Institute · NCT03899987

This study is testing if a combination of aspirin and rintatolimod, with or without another drug called interferon-alpha 2b, can help men with localized prostate cancer before they have surgery.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment30 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexMale
SponsorRoswell Park Cancer Institute Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations1 site (Buffalo, New York)
Trial IDNCT03899987 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This phase II trial investigates the effectiveness of enteric-coated aspirin and rintatolimod, with or without interferon-alpha 2b, in treating patients with localized prostate cancer prior to radical prostatectomy. The study aims to assess the immunomodulatory effects of these treatments, their safety and toxicity, and their antitumor activity. Patients will be randomized into three treatment arms to evaluate the impact of these combinations on tumor tissue and immune response. The goal is to determine how well these therapies can prevent cancer recurrence and improve surgical outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients with histologically confirmed localized prostate adenocarcinoma who are scheduled for radical prostatectomy.

Not a fit: Patients with advanced prostate cancer or those who do not meet the eligibility criteria may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment approach could enhance the immune response against prostate cancer and reduce the likelihood of cancer recurrence after surgery.

How similar studies have performed: While the combination of these specific treatments is novel, similar immunomodulatory approaches have shown promise in other cancer types.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Histologically confirmed, localized prostate adenocarcinoma patients who are planning to have a radical prostatectomy.
* Diagnostic prostate biopsy must have been obtained within 6 months patients who had biopsies at outside facilities may be eligible if tissue availability and adequacy can be confirmed by pathology.
* Have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1.
* Platelet \>= 75,000/uL.
* Hemoglobin \>= 9 g/dL.
* Hematocrit \>= 27%.
* Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \>= 1500/uL.
* Creatinine \< institutional upper limit of normal (ULN) OR creatinine clearance \>= 50 mL/min for patients with creatinine levels greater than ULN.
* Total bilirubin =\< 1.5 X institutional ULN.
* Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase \[SGOT\]) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase \[SGPT\]) =\< 1.5 X institutional ULN.
* Serum amylase and lipase =\< 1.5 X institutional ULN.
* Negative hepatitis panel for patients with a history of Hepatitis
* Participant must understand the investigational nature of this study and sign an Independent Ethics Committee/Institutional Review Board approved written informed consent form prior to receiving any study related procedure.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients currently treated with systemic immunosuppressive agents, including steroids, are ineligible until 3 weeks after removal from immunosuppressive treatment.
* Patients who received hormonal therapy, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (such as finasteride, dutasteride), chemotherapy, radiotherapy, major surgery, or biologic therapy within 3 weeks of protocol treatment.
* Patients with active prostatitis.
* Patients with active autoimmune disease or history of transplantation.
* Patients with comorbid medical conditions that render them unfit for surgery.
* Metastatic disease based on preoperative imaging.
* Cardiac risk factors including:

  * Patients experiencing cardiac event(s) (acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction, or ischemia) within 3 months of signing consent
  * Patients with a New York Heart Association classification of III or IV.
* History of upper and lower gastrointestinal ulceration, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, or perforation within the past 3 years.
* History of bleeding disorders, known lesions at risk for bleeding, or history of recent clinically significant bleed or hemorrhage (\<3months).
* Prior allergic reaction or hypersensitivity to aspirin, or other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
* Patients are ineligible if they plan on use of other NSAIDs at any dose during the trial. Patients who agree to stop regular NSAIDs are eligible and no wash out period is required.
* Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.
* Unwilling or unable to follow protocol requirements.
* Any condition which in the investigator?s opinion deems the participant an unsuitable candidate to receive study drug.

Where this trial is running

Buffalo, New York

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 AdenocarcinomaStage I Prostate Cancer AJCC v8Stage II Prostate Cancer AJCC v8Stage IIA Prostate Cancer AJCC v8Stage IIB Prostate Cancer AJCC v8Stage IIC Prostate Cancer AJCC v8Stage III Prostate Cancer AJCC v8Stage IIIA Prostate Cancer AJCC v8
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.