This is a single-arm, exploratory phase I clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of ultra-hypofractionated carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) in 6 fractions compared to the conventional 12-fraction regimen in patients with low- and intermediate-risk localized prostate cancer. A total of 20 patients will be enrolled sequentially and treated with CIRT at 7 GyE per fraction, delivered twice weekly on alternating days, for a total of 6 fractions (total prescribed dose: 42 GyE). Androgen deprivation therapy for 6 months will be administered concurrently in patients classified as unfavorable intermediate-risk. The primary endpoint is the incidence of acute treatment-related toxicity of Grade 3 or higher per CTCAE v5.0 occurring within 90 days after completion of CIRT. Secondary endpoints include the incidence of late toxicity, biochemical relapse-free survival (bRFS), and quality of life assessed by EPIC-26 and IPSS questionnaires. Patients will undergo scheduled follow-up visits for 2 years after treatment completion, followed by long-term follow-up through electronic medical record review up to 5 years.
STUDY DESIGN This study is a prospective, single-arm clinical study designed to evaluate the safety of an ultra-hypofractionated carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) regimen in patients with localized prostate cancer. A total of 20 participants will be enrolled sequentially at a single institution. An initial cohort of 10 participants will be enrolled first. If fewer than 2 participants develop Grade ≥3 treatment-related acute toxicity within 90 days of completing CIRT, an additional 10 participants will be enrolled to reach the total sample size of 20. Participants will receive CIRT according to the following procedures. 1. Carbon Ion Radiotherapy : CIRT will be administered at 7 GyE per fraction, twice weekly on alternating days, for a total of 6 fractions over 3 weeks (total prescribed dose: 42 GyE). At the investigator's discretion, a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) of 6 GyE × 6 fractions (total 36 GyE) may be prescribed to the seminal vesicle target. Treatment planning will be performed using RayStation with consideration of dose constraints for the rectum and bladder. 2. Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) : ADT will not be administered to low-risk and favorable intermediate-risk patients. Unfavorable intermediate-risk patients will receive ADT concurrently for a total of 6 months, with the first dose completed prior to CIRT initiation. Permitted agents include GnRH agonists (Leuprolide, Goserelin, Triptorelin), GnRH antagonists (Degarelix, Relugolix), and anti-androgens (Bicalutamide, Flutamide, Nilutamide). 3. Permitted Procedures : Insertion of gold fiducial markers for image-guided radiotherapy and SpaceOAR hydrogel for rectal protection are permitted as part of the institutional standard of care and are not considered part of the study intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
20
Participants will receive carbon ion radiotherapy with a total prescribed dose of 42 GyE, delivered as 7 GyE per fraction over six fractions, administered twice weekly (every other day)
acute treatment-related toxicity
Incidence of acute treatment-related toxicity of grade 3 or higher per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse EventsCTCAE) v5.0 occurring within 90 days after completion of carbon ion therapy
Time frame: 90 days after completion of carbon ion therapy
late treatment-related toxicity
Cumulative incidence of late treatment-related toxicity per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events(CTCAE)v5.0 occurring beyond 90 days after completion of carbon ion radiotherapy up to 2 years
Time frame: 2 years after completion of carbon ion radiotherapy
Biochemical relapse-free surviva
Biochemical relapse-free survival (bRFS) at 2 and 5 years, defined by the Phoenix criteria (PSA nadir + 2.0 ng/mL)
Time frame: 2 years and 5 years from the date of treatment initiation
Patient-reported quality of life
Patient-reported quality of life assessed using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite-26 (EPIC-26). Scores range from 0 to 60, with higher scores indicating worse quality of life.
Time frame: Before CIRT, and at 12 weeks, 24 weeks, 1 year, and 2 years after completion of carbon ion radiotherapy
Patient-reported quality of life
Urinary symptom burden assessed using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). Scores range from 0 to 35, with higher scores indicating worse urinary symptoms.
Time frame: Before CIRT, and at 12 weeks, 24 weeks, 1 year, and 2 years after completion of carbon ion radiotherapy.
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