Clinical Research Directory

Testing the Addition of Docetaxel (Chemotherapy) to the Usual Treatment (Hormonal Therapy and Apalutamide) for Metastatic Prostate Cancer, ASPIRE Trial

This phase III trial compares the effect of adding docetaxel to hormonal therapy and apalutamide versus hormonal therapy and apalutamide alone in treating patients with prostate cancer that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic). Docetaxel is in a class of medications called taxanes. It stops tumor cells from growing and dividing and may kill them. Hormone therapy for prostate cancer, also called androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), uses surgery or drugs to lower the levels of male sex hormones in a man's body. This helps slow the growth of prostate cancer. Apalutamide is in a class of medications called androgen receptor inhibitors. It works by blocking the effects of androgen (a male reproductive hormone) to stop the growth and spread of tumor cells. Giving docetaxel in addition to the usual treatment of hormonal therapy and apalutamide may work better in treating patients with metastatic prostate cancer than the usual treatment alone.

FDG-PET-Guided Metastasis Directed Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Metastatic Hormone Sensitive Prostate Cancer, The PRTY Trial

This phase II trial compares the effect of FDG-positron emission tomography (PET)-guided metastasis directed radiation therapy (MDRT) in combination with standard treatments to standard treatments alone in treating patients with prostate cancer that is sensitive to androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) and has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic). Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the United States, despite the approval of several life-prolonging treatments by the Food and Drug Administration. However, over the past 10 years, there have been significant improvements in prolonging the lives of those with metastatic hormone sensitive prostate cancer, specifically by adding treatments to standard therapy, such as ADT. More recently, trials have demonstrated a benefit of using radiotherapy (high energy x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors) to delay the progression of cancer and prolong life for patients with metastatic disease. Imaging scans with FDG-PET may be able to identify cancer sites that remain active despite standard treatment. Giving MDRT plus standard treatment to patients with FDG-PET-identified cancer sites may work better than standard treatment alone in treating metastatic hormone sensitive prostate cancer.

Talazoparib With Androgen Deprivation Therapy and Abiraterone for the Treatment of Castration Sensitive Prostate Cancer

This phase II trial studies the effect of talazoparib with androgen deprivation therapy and abiraterone in treating castration sensitive prostate cancer patients. Talazoparib is an inhibitor of PARP, an enzyme that helps repair deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) when it becomes damaged. Blocking PARP may help keep tumor cells from repairing their damaged DNA, causing them to die. PARP inhibitors are a type of targeted therapy. Androgen can cause the growth of prostate tumor cells. Degarelix, leuprolide acetate, bicalutamide, goserelin acetate, and abiraterone lowers the amount of androgen made by the body. This may help stop the growth of tumor cells that need androgen to grow. Giving talazoparib with androgen deprivation therapy and abiraterone may improve cancer control for patients with castration sensitive prostate cancer.

Advanced ChemoHormonal Therapy for Treatment Naive Metastatic Prostate Cancer

This phase II trial studies how well the combination of apalutamide, abiraterone acetate, and prednisone after chemotherapy work in treating patients that have received no prior treatment (treatment naive) for high risk prostate cancer that is sensitive to androgen deprivation therapy (castration sensitive) and has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic). This study also aims to understand the inheritance of prostate cancer. If a gene or genes that cause prostate cancer can be found, the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer may be improved. Testosterone (a male hormone) can cause the growth of prostate cancer cells. Hormone therapy using apalutamide may fight prostate cancer by blocking the use of testosterone by the tumor cells. Antihormone therapy, such as abiraterone acetate, may lessen the amount of testosterone made by the body. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as prednisone lower the body's immune response and are used with other drugs in the treatment of some types of cancer. Apalutamide, abiraterone acetate, and prednisone after chemotherapy may work better in treating patients with castration sensitive prostate cancer.

Testing Interruption of Hormonal Medications in Patients Responding Exceptionally to Therapy for Metastatic Prostate Cancer, (A-DREAM)

This phase II trial examines antiandrogen therapy interruptions in patients with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer that has spread to other places in the body (metastatic) responding exceptionally well to androgen receptor-pathway inhibitor therapy. The usual treatment for patients with metastatic prostate cancer is to receive hormonal medications including a medication to decrease testosterone levels in the body and a potent oral hormonal medication to block growth signals from male hormones (like testosterone) in the cancer cells. Patients whose cancer is responding exceptionally well to this therapy may take a break from these medications according to their doctor's guidance. This trial may help doctors determine if stopping treatment can allow for testosterone recovery.