Radiation and Hormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer

(OCEAN Trial)

This trial explores new methods to manage prostate cancer by combining radiation therapy with hormone therapy, also known as Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT). The goal is to better control the cancer and enhance patients' quality of life by targeting specific lymph nodes and using advanced imaging techniques. Men with prostate cancer who have no more than five cancer spots in specific areas below the diaphragm and have previously responded to pelvic radiation might be suitable candidates for this study. As a Phase 2 trial, this research focuses on assessing the treatment's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group of participants.

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it mentions that participants should not have had androgen deprivation therapy or chemotherapy in the three months prior to the study.

Research has shown that treatments like androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) are generally safe. Over 90% of patients experience a decrease in prostate-specific antigen levels, indicating a response to prostate cancer. Common side effects include hot flashes and tiredness.

For drugs that block androgen receptors, studies indicate similar safety, whether used alone or with ADT. Patients might experience side effects like tiredness and nausea, but these are usually manageable.

Most treatments for prostate cancer involve either surgery, radiation, or hormone therapy that aims to reduce androgen levels, which fuel cancer growth. However, this new approach is unique because it combines androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and an androgen receptor signaling inhibitor (ARSI) with targeted para-aortic radiation therapy (PA-RT). This combination targets cancer cells more precisely while simultaneously cutting off their hormonal fuel, potentially improving effectiveness and reducing side effects. Researchers are excited about this treatment because it could offer a more comprehensive attack on cancer cells by integrating systemic hormone therapy with a focused radiation approach.

Research has shown that treatments for prostate cancer, such as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), can extend patient survival and lower prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. In this trial, participants will receive a combination of ADT and an androgen receptor signaling inhibitor (ARSI), including newer drugs like enzalutamide and abiraterone, which reduce PSA levels more effectively than ADT alone. Participants will also undergo para-aortic radiation therapy (PA-RT), which has yielded promising results, with 83.4% of patients experiencing no cancer progression for two years. Together, these treatments offer strong potential for controlling prostate cancer and improving patient outcomes.²⁶⁷⁸⁹