Clinical Research Directory

CT- Versus MRI-Based Planning for High-Dose-Rate Prostate Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer

This clinical trial studies the safety of a computed tomography (CT) scan, with or without a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, in planning for high-dose-rate (HDR) prostate brachytherapy treatment in patients with prostate cancer. Brachytherapy is a type of radiation therapy in which radioactive implants, such as pellets, seeds, ribbons, wires, needles, balloons, or capsules, are placed in the body, directly into or near the tumor. The radiation is delivered through a flexible tube called a catheter or a larger device called an applicator. Treatment planning, or simulation, is a process used to plan radiation therapy so that the target area is precisely located and marked. A CT scan is a procedure that uses a computer linked to an x-ray machine to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. The pictures are taken from different angles and are used to create 3-dimensional views of tissues and organs. An MRI is a procedure in which radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body. The addition of MRI to CT for HDR prostate brachytherapy treatment planning may help patients have less urine leakage and less pain after treatment.

Testing Shorter Duration Radiation Therapy Versus the Usual Radiation Therapy in Patients With High Risk Prostate Cancer

This phase III trial compares stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), (five treatments over two weeks using a higher dose per treatment) to usual radiation therapy (20 to 45 treatments over 4 to 9 weeks) for the treatment of high-risk prostate cancer. SBRT uses special equipment to position a patient and deliver radiation to tumors with high precision. This method may kill tumor cells with fewer doses over a shorter period of time. This trial is evaluating if shorter duration radiation prevents cancer from coming back as well as the usual radiation treatment.

Peer Navigation for the Support of Metastatic Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing Genetic Evaluation

This clinical trial evaluates whether having a trained peer navigator helps African American men with prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) understand and navigate the genetic testing process better than not having a peer navigator. Genetic testing for men with prostate cancer is very important for making treatment and management decisions. However, understanding the risks, benefits, and steps of genetic counseling and testing can be very challenging for patients. African American men are especially less likely to participant in genetic testing due to lack of awareness or understanding, cultural beliefs, finances, or mistrust of the healthcare system. A peer navigator, someone who helps a patient through the information and the process, may be helpful to some men. This study evaluates whether having a peer navigator throughout the genetic evaluation process helps patients understand and engage in the process more.

Time-Restricted Eating Versus Nutritional Counseling for the Reduction of Radiation or Chemoradiation Tx Side Effects in Patients With Prostate, Cervical, or Rectal Cancers

This phase II trial studies how well time-restricted eating works in reducing side effects of radiation or chemoradiation side effects when compared to nutritional counseling among patients with prostate, cervical, and rectal cancers. Time-restricted eating, also called short term fasting or intermittent fasting, is an eating plan that alternates between not eating food (fasting) and non-fasting periods. Nutritional counseling involves being asked to follow a healthy, balanced diet that includes instructions on what kinds of food are better tolerated during radiation and chemoradiation therapy. This trial may help researchers determine if certain diets may improve the anti-cancer effects of radiation therapy and reduce the side-effects of this treatment. If successful, these diets may be integrated into the future treatment of prostate, cervical, and rectal cancers.

Remote Telemonitoring of Patient-Generated Physiologic Health Data and Patient-Reported Outcomes

This study examines at-home monitoring of patient-generated phsyiologic health data and patient-reported outcomes. Patient-generated health data using at-home monitoring devices and smart device applications are used more and more to measure value and quality in cancer care. This trial may show whether at-home monitoring programs can improve the care of patients after hospital discharge from surgery.

Adaptive Radiation Therapy (ART) Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) for Primary Localized Prostate Cancer

This clinical trial evaluates changes in quality of life after two treatments with near margin-less adaptive radiation therapy (ART) compared to five treatments with standard stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) in patients with prostate cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body (localized). ART is a type of radiation therapy that uses information gathered during the treatment cycle to inform, guide, and alter future radiation treatments with respect to location and dose. It may be able to deliver radiation to the site of disease over a shorter time and with smaller margins (less treatment delivered to nearby healthy tissues). SABR is a type of external radiation therapy that uses special equipment to position a patient and precisely deliver radiation to tumors in the body (except the brain). The total dose of radiation is divided into smaller doses given over several days. This type of radiation therapy helps spare normal tissue. Shorter duration near margin-less ART may be just as effective at treating patients with localized prostate cancer but have less quality of life side effects than standard SABR.

Bright White Light Therapy in Reducing Cancer-Related Fatigue and Depression in Advanced Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing Treatment With ADT Combination Therapy

This phase II trial tests how well bright white light (BWL) therapy works in reducing cancer-related fatigue and depression in patients with prostate cancer that may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced) and who are undergoing treatment with antiandrogen therapy (ADT) combination therapy. Combination treatment including ADT plus chemotherapy and androgen receptor (AR) targeted therapy or ADT plus AR targeted therapies work by reducing testosterone. Most prostate tumor cells rely on testosterone to help them grow; therefore, ADT combination therapy causes prostate tumor cells to die or to grow more slowly leading to improved overall survival in men with advanced prostate cancer when compared with ADT alone. However, lower levels of testosterone is also commonly associated with worsening fatigue and depression. If prolonged and severe, these complications can alter patient treatment plans, impacting not just quality of life, but leading to inadequate cancer control. BWL therapy is a type of phototherapy that utilizes bright white full-spectrum light, either through a light box or light therapy glasses to help regulate circadian rhythms. Circadian rhythms are physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle, including the sleep-wake cycle which can become disrupted in cancer patients undergoing treatment, leading to increased fatigue. Additionally, exposure to bright light may increase the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is associated with mood regulation. BWL therapy with AYOpro light therapy glasses may serve as a supportive care measure for men with advanced prostate to help reduce fatigue, as well as improve mood and overall quality of life during ADT combination therapy to maintain cancer care without suffering complications of therapy.

Androgen Deprivation Therapy (Relugolix) for the Improvement of Diagnostic Imaging (PSMA PET/CT Scan) in Patients With High Risk or Very High Risk Prostate Cancer, The EnrichPSMA Trial

This phase II trial studies how well a short course of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with relugolix works in increasing expression of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and improving diagnostic imaging with PSMA positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) in patients with high risk or very high risk prostate cancer. PSMA PET/CT has become the standard of care in imaging for high-risk prostate cancer. However, a limitation of PSMA PET/CT is its ability to detect cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes. PSMA is a protein that is usually found on the surface of normal prostate cells but is found in higher amounts on prostate tumor cells. Studies have shown that expression of PSMA is regulated by androgens (male reproductive hormones). Relugolix binds to gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors in the pituitary gland, which blocks the pituitary gland from making the hormones follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. This causes the testicles to stop making testosterone. Relugolix may stop the growth of tumor cells that need testosterone to grow. PSMA PET/CT is an imaging procedure that is used to help find prostate tumor cells in the body. For this procedure, a cell-targeting molecule linked to a radioactive substance (flotufolastat F 18 in this trial) is injected into the body and travels through the blood. It attaches to PSMA that is found on the surface of prostate tumor cells. PET/CT scanners detect high concentrations of the radioactive molecule and shows where the prostate tumor cells are in the body. Giving a short course of ADT with relugolix may increase PSMA expression to detect smaller areas of prostate cancer that were not previously detected.

SBRT Versus Hypofractionated Radiotherapy for Biochemically Recurrent or Oligometastatic Prostate Adenocarcinoma

This phase III trial tests the side effects of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) compared to hypofractionated radiotherapy for treating patients with prostate adenocarcinoma that has come back after a period of improvement (recurrent) or that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to a limited number of sites (oligometastatic). SBRT is a type of external radiation therapy that uses special equipment to position a patient and precisely deliver radiation to tumors in the body (except the brain). The total dose of radiation is divided into smaller doses given over several days. This type of radiation therapy helps spare normal tissue. Hypofractionated radiation therapy delivers higher doses of radiation therapy over a shorter period of time and may kill more tumors cells and have fewer side effects. SBRT may work just as well as hypofractionated radiation therapy at treating patients with biochemically recurrent or oligometastatic prostate cancer, but with a shorter treatment time and possibly fewer side effects.

Feasibility and Effect of Wrapping Nerves With a Multi-Layer Perinatal Tissue Allograft During Prostatectomy

This clinical trial studies whether a new multi-layer perinatal tissue allograft, MLG-Complete (Trademark), can be used to improve complications after nerve-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in patients with prostate cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body (localized). Two major complications that can happen after complete surgical removal of the prostate (radical prostatectomy) include erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence, both of which greatly affect a patient's quality of life and social well-being. The goal of nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy is to preserve erectile and urinary function, but damage to the surrounding nerves and blood vessels can still occur causing the patient to experience the complications. An allograft is the transplant of an organ, tissue, or cells from one individual to another individual of the same species who is not an identical twin. The MLG-Complete allograft is made up of perinatal tissue and is placed on the nerve bundles during a nerve-sparing RARP. It is meant to serve as a barrier and provide coverage to the nerve bundles from the surrounding environment, which may improve post-nerve-sparing RARP complications.

Testing the Effects of Exercise on Colorectal Cancer Development After Treatment With Pelvic Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer

This clinical trial evaluates the effects of exercise therapy on signs of colorectal cancer in colon tissue and blood in people who completed pelvic radiation therapy for prostate cancer. People who get radiation in the pelvic area have a higher chance of developing colon cancer years later. This is because radiation can cause new mutations and inflammation. Research shows that exercise lowers colon cancer risk by about 30%. The results of this trial may help researchers better understand how exercise affects the development of colorectal cancer in patients who were treated with pelvic radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

Lifestyle Behavior Influences Among African American Patients With Stage 0-III Prostate Cancer Survivors and Their Partners

This trial studies the day-to-day stress, social support, and health lifestyle behaviors (such as physical activity and nutrition) in African American patients with stage 0-III prostate cancer survivors and their partners. How patients cope with stress may affect their lifestyle behaviors. This study may help understand not only survivors' behaviors but also partners' behaviors and how they interact.

Computed Tomography-Guided Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy With Intrafraction Motion Monitoring for the Treatment of Localized Prostate Cancer, ILLUSION Trial

This clinical trial studies the side effects of computed tomography (CT)-guided stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) with intrafraction motion monitoring and to see how well it works in treating patients with prostate cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body (localized). In CT-guided SBRT, x-ray-based imaging and cone-beam CTs are used to define and localize the area to be treated with SBRT. SBRT is a type of external radiation therapy that uses special equipment to position a patient and precisely deliver radiation to tumors in the body (except the brain). The total dose of radiation is divided into smaller doses given over several days. This type of radiation therapy helps spare normal tissue. A recent randomized trial showed that while SBRT is associated with less urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction than complete surgical removal of the prostate, there are more urinary irritative side effects and more bowel side effects than with surgery. One source of uncertainty in SBRT that may contribute to genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) side effects is the necessity of treating a "margin" of volume around the prostate to account for its movement during SBRT. Intrafraction motion monitoring is any technique or system designed to track the movement of the body and target during fractions of external beam radiation to keep the beam on target. This allows for the patient to be repositioned, if needed, to ensure delivery of the SBRT to only the planned treatment area. CT-guided SBRT with intrafraction motion monitoring may lower GU and GI side effects by allowing tighter margins, as has been demonstrated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided SBRT.

High Dose-Rate Brachytherapy and Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for the Treatment of Prostate Adenocarcinoma

This phase II trial investigates the effect of high dose-rate brachytherapy and stereotactic body radiotherapy in treating patients with prostate adenocarcinoma. Brachytherapy, also known as internal radiation therapy, uses radioactive material placed directly into or near a tumor to kill tumor cells. Stereotactic body radiation therapy uses special equipment to position a patient and deliver radiation to tumors with high precision. This method may kill tumor cells with fewer doses over a shorter period and cause less damage to normal tissue.

Measuring the Effects of Talazoparib in Patients With Advanced Cancer and DNA Repair Variations

This phase II trial studies if talazoparib works in patients with cancer that may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced) and has mutation(s) in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage response genes who have or have not already been treated with another PARP inhibitor. Talazoparib is an inhibitor of PARP, a protein that helps repair damaged DNA. Blocking PARP may help keep cancer cells from repairing their damaged DNA, causing them to die. PARP inhibitors are a type of targeted therapy. All patients who take part on this study must have a gene aberration that changes how their tumors are able to repair DNA. This trial may help scientists learn whether some patients might benefit from taking different PARP inhibitors "one after the other" and learn how talazoparib works in treating patients with advanced cancer who have aberration in DNA repair genes.

Two Studies for Patients With High Risk Prostate Cancer Testing Less Intense Treatment for Patients With a Low Gene Risk Score and Testing a More Intense Treatment for Patients With a High Gene Risk Score, The PREDICT-RT Trial

This phase III trial compares less intense hormone therapy and radiation therapy to usual hormone therapy and radiation therapy in treating patients with high risk prostate cancer and low gene risk score. This trial also compares more intense hormone therapy and radiation therapy to usual hormone therapy and radiation therapy in patients with high risk prostate cancer and high gene risk score. Apalutamide may help fight prostate cancer by blocking the use of androgen by the tumor cells. Radiation therapy uses high energy rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Giving a shorter hormone therapy treatment may work the same at controlling prostate cancer compared to the usual 24 month hormone therapy treatment in patients with low gene risk score. Adding apalutamide to the usual treatment may increase the length of time without prostate cancer spreading as compared to the usual treatment in patients with high gene risk score.

Testing the Addition of the Drug Apalutamide to the Usual Hormone Therapy and Radiation Therapy After Surgery for Prostate Cancer, INNOVATE Trial

This phase III trial studies whether adding apalutamide to the usual treatment improves outcome in patients with lymph node positive prostate cancer after surgery. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-ray to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Androgens, or male sex hormones, can cause the growth of prostate cancer cells. Drugs, such as apalutamide, may help stop or reduce the growth of prostate cancer cell growth by blocking the attachment of androgen to its receptors on cancer cells, a mechanism similar to stopping the entrance of a key into its lock. Adding apalutamide to the usual hormone therapy and radiation therapy after surgery may stabilize prostate cancer and prevent it from spreading and extend time without disease spreading compared to the usual approach.

Watchful Living in Improving Quality of Life in Participants With Localized Prostate Cancer on Active Surveillance and Their Partners

This pilot trial studies how well Watchful Living works in improving quality of life in participants with prostate cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body who are on active surveillance and their partners. A social support lifestyle intervention (called Watchful Living) may help African American prostate cancer participants and their partners improve their quality of life, physical activity, diet, and inflammation.

Testing the Addition of a New Anti-Cancer Drug, Niraparib, to the Usual Treatment (Hormone and Radiation Therapy) for Prostate Cancer With a High Chance of Recurring

This is a phase I-II trial to find the safety and activity of adding a new drug (neraparib) to the usual treatment (radiation combined with male hormone deprivation therapy) in lowering the chance of prostate cancer growing or returning. Niraparib is an inhibitor of PARP, an enzyme that helps repair deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) when it becomes damaged. Blocking PARP may help keep cancer cells from repairing their damaged DNA, causing them to die. PARP inhibitors are a type of targeted therapy. Adding niraparib to the usual care may lower the chance of prostate cancer growing or returning.

Androgen Ablation Therapy With or Without Niraparib After Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of High-Risk Localized or Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer

This phase II trial studies the effect of androgen ablation therapy with or without niraparib after standard of care radiation therapy in treating patients with prostate cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body (localized) or that has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes (locally advanced). Androgen ablation therapy (also known as hormone therapy) lowers the levels of male hormones called androgens in the body. Androgens stimulate prostate cancer cells to grow. There are 2 types of androgen ablation therapy given in this study: AAP + ADT and Apa + ADT. AAP + ADT is the treatment combination of the drugs abiraterone acetate and prednisone (AAP) given with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT, also known as androgen deprivation therapy or androgen suppression medication, which is used as standard of care to lower testosterone levels in men with high risk localized or metastatic prostate cancer). Apa + ADT is the treatment combination of the drug apalutamide (Apa) given with ADT. Androgen ablation therapy with or without niraparib after radiation therapy may help to control the disease in patients with prostate cancer.

Aspirin and Rintatolimod With or Without Interferon-alpha 2b in Treating Patients With Prostate Cancer Before Surgery

This phase II trial studies how well enteric-coated (EC) aspirin and rintatolimod with or without interferon-alpha 2b work in treating patients with prostate cancer before surgery. EC Aspirin may help to keep the prostate cancer from coming back. Rintatolimod may stimulate the immune system and interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Interferon-alpha 2b may improve the body's natural response to infections and may slow tumor growth. It is not yet known how well rintatolimod, EC aspirin, and interferon-alpha 2b work in treating patients with prostate cancer undergoing surgery.

Golf Recreational Exercise for Enhanced Survivorship in Prostate Cancer Survivors

This clinical trial evaluates a golf recreational exercise program for enhancing survivorship in underrepresented prostate cancer survivors. Golf is a multimodal recreational activity that requires participants to utilize all muscle groups to perform the golf swing, walk over hilly and uneven terrain, maintain balance during putting and squat-like tasks. Physical activity and exercise are beneficial to physical function, cognitive function, psychosocial health, and overall quality of life during prostate cancer survivorship. These aspects of health are impacted by prostate cancer treatment, especially androgen deprivation therapy. Additionally, supervised, group-based activity programs facilitate participation in physical activity. Researchers want to examine the changes in functional abilities, psychosocial health, and quality of life following participation in in a golf program designed for prostate cancer survivors.

Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy With or Without Vesicopexy in Patients With Prostate Cancer

This phase III trial compares the effects of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) with or without vesicopexy on urinary continence (a person's ability to control their bladder) and quality of life in patients with cancer of the prostate. RARP is the most adopted surgical approach for treatment of prostate cancer that has not spread to other places in the body (non-metastatic). Urinary incontinence (inability to control the bladder) is one of the most common complications of RARP, impacting patients' quality of life and psychological well-being. Different techniques have been proposed to improve urinary continence following RARP. Vesicopexy is one technique that restores the bladder to its normal position in the body after RARP. This study aims to evaluate whether RARP with vesicopexy may improve urinary continence and quality of life after surgery in prostate cancer patients.

Testing the Combination of the Anti-cancer Drugs XL184 (Cabozantinib) and Nivolumab in Patients With Advanced Cancer and HIV

This phase I trial investigates the side effects of cabozantinib and nivolumab in treating patients with cancer that may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced) and who are undergoing treatment for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Cabozantinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving cabozantinib and nivolumab may shrink or stabilize cancer in patients undergoing treatment for HIV.