This phase II trial investigates whether proton radiation therapy directed to the prostate tumor, pelvic, and para-aortic lymph nodes, is an effective way to treat patients with high-risk or lymph node positive prostate cancer who are receiving radiation therapy, and if it will result in fewer gastrointestinal and genitourinary side effects. Proton beam therapy is a new type of radiotherapy that directs multiple beams of protons (positively charged subatomic particles) at the tumor target, where they deposit the bulk of their energy with essentially no residual radiation beyond the tumor. By reducing the exposure of the healthy tissues and organs to radiation in the treatment of prostate cancer, proton therapy has the potential to better spare healthy tissue and reduce the side effects of radiation therapy.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: I. To determine the rate of acute grade 2+ gastrointestinal toxicity compared to historical photon treatments. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To determine the rate of acute grade 2+ genitourinary toxicity compared to historical photon treatments. II. To assess the feasibility of extended-field proton irradiation of high-risk prostate. III. To demonstrate safety of proton therapy followed by high dose rate (HDR) boost. IV. To determine patient-reported outcomes (PROs) of toxicity. OUTLINE: Patients undergo conventionally fractionated proton beam therapy daily on Monday-Friday. Patients may receive a high-dose rate brachytherapy boost. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, and 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 years.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
30
Receive high-dose rate brachytherapy boost
Undergo proton beam therapy
Ancillary studies
Ancillary studies
Emory University Hospital/Winship Cancer Institute
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
RECRUITINGAcute grade 2+ gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity
The rate of grade 2+ gastrointestinal toxicity within 30 days of receiving radiation therapy (RT) will be measured. It will be compared to the theorized reduction to 24% toxicity using the exact binomial test. Assessments are based on version 5 Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), and the worst severity of GI toxicity will be assessed.
Time frame: Up to 3 years
Acute grade 2+ genitourinary (GU) toxicity rate
The rate of grade 2+ genitourinary toxicity within 30 days of receiving radiation therapy (RT) will be measured. Assessments are based on version 5 CTCAE, and the worst severity of GU toxicity will also be assessed.
Time frame: Up to 3 years
Optimal frequency of cone beam computed tomography (CT)
Will determine the optimal frequency of cone beam CT during treatment and assess subsequent need for adaptive re-planning. The feasibility of extended-field proton irradiation of high-risk prostate cancer will be estimated using a re-planning rate of less than 10%. The re-planning rate will be estimated as binary variable, yes or no. The exact 95% confidence interval (CI) around the 10 % re-planning count based on the binomial distribution for the estimated 30 patients will be used (0.021-0.265). The study will be deemed feasible if the observed rate is not higher than the upper bound of the estimated 95% CI.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Patient reported health related quality of life (QOL) - PRO-CTCAU GI
Assessed using Patient Reported Outcomes-CTCAE GI toxicity
Time frame: Up to 3 years
Patient reported health related quality of life (QOL) - PRO-CTCAU GU
Assessed using Patient Reported Outcomes-CTCAE GU toxicity
Time frame: Up to 3 years
Patient reported health related quality of life (QOL) - IPSS
International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS)
Time frame: Up to 3 years
Patient reported health related quality of life (QOL) - EPIC-CP
Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite for Clinical Practice (EPIC-CP)
Time frame: Up to 3 years
Chronic GI Toxicity
The rate of any grade gastrointestinal toxicity occurring after 90 days from the completion of radiation therapy(RT). Assessments are based on version 5 Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), and the worst severity of GI toxicity will be assessed.
Time frame: Up to 3 years
Chronic GU Toxicity
The rate of any grade genitourinary toxicity occurring after 90 days from the completion of radiation therapy(RT). Assessments are based on version 5 Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), and the worst severity of GU toxicity will be assessed.
Time frame: Up to 3 years
Biochemical failure
Assessed by the Phoenix definition (prostate specific antigen \[PSA\] \>= 2 ng/ml over the nadir PSA).
Time frame: Baseline up to pre-RT
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.