Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 2 Interventional Ages 60 and up Men only

Using bright white light therapy to reduce fatigue and depression in advanced prostate cancer patients

Official title: Phase 2 Study of Bright White Light During Treatment With ADT Combination Therapy in Men With Advanced Prostate Cancer to PreServe PHysIcal and MeNtal HEalth (SHINE)

Run by City of Hope Medical Center · NCT05869682 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing if bright white light therapy can help reduce fatigue and depression in men with advanced prostate cancer who are receiving treatment.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages60 Years and up
SexMen only
Enrollment210 (estimated)
SponsorCity of Hope Medical Center
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsradiation, prednisone, chemotherapy
Locations1 site (Duarte, California)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJuly 9, 2024
Main results expectedNovember 30, 2028
Study endsNovember 30, 2028
Registry record updatedOctober 7, 2026
Trial IDNCT05869682 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are men with histologically confirmed advanced prostate cancer who are eligible for combination antiandrogen therapy.

Probably not a fit

Patients with non-measurable disease or those not undergoing antiandrogen therapy 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 II trial evaluates the effectiveness of bright white light (BWL) therapy in alleviating cancer-related fatigue and depression among patients with advanced prostate cancer undergoing antiandrogen therapy. Participants are randomized into two groups: one receiving immediate BWL therapy alongside their treatment and the other starting BWL therapy after a six-month delay. The study measures patient-reported fatigue, mood, geriatric assessments, and overall quality of life over a 52-week period. The goal is to determine if immediate BWL therapy can significantly improve these outcomes compared to delayed therapy.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could significantly enhance the quality of life for patients suffering from fatigue and depression related to advanced prostate cancer treatments.

How similar studies have gone: While the use of light therapy in cancer care is not widely tested, similar approaches have shown promise in managing fatigue and mood disorders in other patient populations.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Participants must have histologically or cytologically confirmed prostate cancer
* Participants must have radiographic evidence of measurable disease, defined as at least one lesion that can be accurately measured in at least one dimension (longest diameter to be recorded for non-nodal lesions and short axis for nodal lesions) as \>= 10 mm ( \>= 1 cm) with computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or metastatic lesions as identified as related to prostate cancer on a standard technetium bone scan. Alternatively patients may have radiographic evidence of metastatic disease on an Axumin or prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positron emission tomography (PET) scan
* Eligible for treatment with ADT plus docetaxel (planned for 6 cycles or fewer) plus abiraterone acetate and prednisone or darolutamide (triplet therapy), or ADT plus enzalutamide, apalutamide, or darolutamide (doublet therapy). Prior use of ADT with a gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist or antagonist, or prior orchiectomy is allowed
* Age \>= 60 years
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status =\< 2
* Expected time to next treatment of \>= 12 months and life expectancy of \>= 18 months, as determined by a study Investigator
* Leukocytes \>= 3,000/mcL
* Absolute neutrophil count \>= 1,500/mcL
* Platelets \>= 100,000/mcL
* Total bilirubin =\< institutional upper limit of normal (ULN)
* Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)(serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase \[SGOT\])/alanine aminotransferase (ALT)(serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase \[SGPT\]) =\< 3 x institutional ULN
* Creatinine =\< institutional ULN OR
* Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) \>= 50 mL/min/1.73 m\^2 unless data exists supporting safe use at lower kidney function values, no lower than 30 mL/min/1.73 m\^2
* Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected participants on effective anti-retroviral therapy with undetectable viral load within 6 months are eligible for this trial
* For participants with evidence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the HBV viral load must be undetectable on suppressive therapy, if indicated
* Participants with a history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection must have been treated and cured. For participants with HCV infection who are currently on treatment, they are eligible if they have an undetectable HCV viral load
* Participants with a prior or concurrent malignancy whose natural history or treatment does not have the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen are eligible for this trial
* Participants with known history or current symptoms of cardiac disease, or history of treatment with cardiotoxic agents, should have a clinical risk assessment of cardiac function using the New York Heart Association Functional Classification. To be eligible for this trial, participants should be class 2B or better
* Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document
* Participants are still eligible and may proceed with the protocol and bright white light therapy if they discontinue baseline hormonal treatment, but plan to continue with another of the eligible treatments. However, if they discontinue treatment due to cancer progression, they should not continue on the protocol

Exclusion Criteria:

* Participants receiving docetaxel cannot have metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer as the expected median time to progression to next therapy is \< 12 months
* Participants who have not recovered from adverse events due to prior anti-cancer therapy (i.e., have residual toxicities \> grade 1) with the exception of alopecia
* Prior treatment with combination hormonal therapy with abiraterone acetate, enzalutamide, apalutamide, or darolutamide for participants planning to start treatment with abiraterone acetate, enzalutamide, apalutamide, or darolutamide
* Participants who are receiving any other investigational agents
* Participants with brain metastases are ineligible due to the limited life expectancy of men with prostate cancer metastases to brain
* History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to agents used in this study
* Histologic evidence of small cell prostate cancer
* Symptomatic skeletal event complication of prostate cancer such as cord compression, fracture, or need for radiation or surgery to a bone lesion within 6 months
* Uncontrolled pain related to prostate cancer or separate chronic condition
* Visceral crisis from prostate cancer suggesting rapidly progressive disease and life expectancy of \< 18 months
* Participants with uncontrolled intercurrent illness
* Concurrent second active malignancy
* Severe sleep disorders (e.g. Narcolepsy)
* Eye Diseases which limit the ability of light to be processed (e.g. untreated cataracts, severe glaucoma, macular degeneration, blindness, pupil dilation problems or other retinal disorder)
* Severe psychological impairment (e.g., bipolar disorder or manic episodes)
* Current employment in night shift work
* Previous use of light therapy to alleviate fatigue or depressive symptoms
* Currently recovering from previous eye surgery within the past 6 months that causes eye irritation
* Sensitivity to light, epilepsy, or a history of seizures

Where it's running

  • City of Hope Medical Center
    Duarte, California, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: William Dale — City of Hope Medical Center

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.