Clinical Research Directory

Comparison of 177Lu-PSMA-617 and 225Ac-PSMA-617

There is evidence that Actinium-225 Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (225Ac-PSMA) has a potentially higher level of efficacy than 177 Lutetium Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (177Lu-PSMA) as a radioligand therapy. This single center, pilot study will compare differences in the mechanisms of actinium-225 and lutetium-177 radioligand therapies (RLT) in participants with high or very high risk localized or locoregional prostate cancer planning on undergoing a prostatectomy.

A Single-arm, Multicenter Prospective Study to Evaluate the Diagnostic Performance of PROSTest in Men With PSA ≥ 3ng/ml Using Biopsy as the Sole Ground Truth

This prospective observational study will enroll men referred for prostate biopsy due to elevated PSA and/or abnormal digital rectal examination, with or without pre-biopsy MRI. Peripheral blood will be collected prior to biopsy for PROSTest analysis. Biopsy histopathology will serve as the reference standard. PROSTest results will be analyzed blinded to pathology.

Investigating the Safety and Diagnostic Performance of 68Ga-NYM032 Injection PET/CT in Men With Newly Diagnosed Prostate Cancer.

The investigators are imaging patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer using a new Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging agent (68Ga-NYM032) in order to evaluate the safety and diagnostic performance.

Analysis of the Performance of PSMA Emission Tomography in Patients With Prostate Cancer Treated With HIFU

There would appear to be a strong interest in functional nuclear imaging for assessing the response to focal PaC treatment. Investigator team hypothesise that the diagnostic performance of PSMA PET is noninferior to that of MRI in detecting clinically significant recurrent PaC after treatment with HIFU. The main objective was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of PSMA PET compared with MRI with reference to the gold standard of prostate biopsy one year after HIFU.

TENS During Transperineal Prostate Biopsy

Transperineal prostate biopsy is a safe and effective method of diagnosing prostate cancer. When performed under local anaesthesia in an outpatient setting, it can cause significant pain, particularly during the periprostatic nerve block - the injection of local anaesthetic around the prostate. Better pain management during this procedure may improve patient comfort and encourage wider use of the transperineal approach. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a non-invasive, low-cost method of pain relief that works by delivering mild electrical impulses through the skin. A preceding pilot study at our centre (n=84) found that TENS used alongside local anaesthesia was associated with significantly lower pain scores during periprostatic nerve block and biopsy sampling, with no device-related complications. This study aims to confirm these findings in a larger, formally powered, triple-blind, randomized controlled trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either active TENS or sham TENS (electrodes applied but no electrical current delivered) in addition to standard local anaesthesia. Neither the participant nor the operating urologist will know which group the participant is in. Pain scores are written down by the participant himself, so nobody asks him for a number during the procedure. Stimulation may feel strong, weak or not noticeable at all, and feeling nothing does not mean a participant is in the inactive group. Pain intensity will be assessed at four stages of the procedure using a 0-10 numeric rating scale. Participants will be followed up at 30 days after the biopsy.

miRNA Panel for PCa Diagnosis

This is a single-center, prospective diagnostic accuracy trial conducted at Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, led by a team of urology and molecular medicine researchers. A total of 500 male participants aged 18 years or older who meet clinical indications for prostate biopsy will be enrolled between May 2026 and May 2027. All participants have suspected prostate cancer (PCa) based on abnormal prostate-specific antigen (PSA), abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE), suspicious multiparametric MRI (mpMRI), positive family history of prostate cancer, pathogenic gene mutations, or other high-risk clinical findings. Men with confirmed treated prostate cancer, recent prostate-related procedures, active other malignancies, severe organ dysfunction, coagulation disorders, or cognitive impairment that prevents informed consent will be excluded. The core goal of this study is to test the diagnostic performance of a novel non-invasive blood test using a panel of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) from serum, and compare it with the standard PSA-based screening tools to distinguish prostate cancer from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The gold standard for judging true disease status will be pathology results from transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. Researchers will calculate key diagnostic metrics including sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and area under the ROC curve (AUC) for the miRNA panel. Secondary analyses will evaluate whether combining the miRNA signature with PSA or mpMRI improves diagnostic accuracy, especially for men with PSA levels in the ambiguous "gray zone" of 4-10 ng/mL. Subgroup assessments will also test how well the miRNA panel differentiates low-risk versus high-risk prostate cancer and clinically significant versus insignificant tumors across different PSA tiers, age groups, mpMRI risk scores and prostate sizes. Additional laboratory testing will confirm the stability of serum miRNAs under different storage temperatures and storage durations, as well as test consistency across operators, reagent batches and detection platforms to validate real-world clinical usability. For participants, the study only involves a one-time fasting venous blood draw of up to 10 mL before biopsy, with no extra invasive procedures or experimental medications added to routine clinical care. The free miRNA test results can serve as supplementary evidence to help doctors judge whether a prostate biopsy is truly necessary, potentially sparing many patients from unnecessary invasive biopsy and its associated discomfort or complications. All blood samples will be stored under standardized biosafety protocols with de-identified personal data to fully protect participant privacy. Minimal risks include minor temporary bruising or slight pain at the blood draw site, which resolve spontaneously without long-term harm. Statistical analysis will use three defined datasets (full analysis set, per-protocol set, safety set) and advanced methods including DeLong's test, logistic regression, NRI and IDI to quantify diagnostic improvement versus PSA. A 70% training cohort will build the miRNA diagnostic model, and the remaining 30% of samples will act as an independent validation group to verify model reliability. Safety monitoring will record all adverse events throughout follow-up, with strict ethical oversight following the Declaration of Helsinki and Chinese biomedical research regulations. After sample testing, data analysis and result summarization finish by October 2027, the research team plans to publish 1-2 peer-reviewed SCI papers to share findings globally. If validated, this serum miRNA panel will provide a more precise, non-invasive screening tool to reduce overdiagnosis and unnecessary prostate biopsies, optimize early prostate cancer detection, and lower overall medical burdens for men at risk of prostate disease in clinical practice.

Validation of a Platelet Proteomic Assay for Diagnosing and Monitoring Prostate Cancer

This is a single center study evaluating whether a new blood test based on platelet proteins rather than plasma proteins can improve detection of prostate cancer and evaluate the degree of serious disease. Currently, doctors rely on multiple tests such as PSA, MRI scans and biopsies to do the same evaluation. Researchers are trying to see if HeLP™ can be a safe and accurate alternative. The study is inviting men who are being seen for suspicion of prostate cancer (based on symptoms or previous lab results). If they agree to be in the study, the research team will take a sample of their blood at the time they are getting a repeat PSA test or having Imaging. The research test does not affect the care they are already receiving and takes 3 extra tubes of blood (\~3 tbsp). The research team is aiming to include 300 participants total. They believe 278 people are needed to confidently compare results between people with and without prostate cancer. They will do an interim analysis halfway through the study, once samples from 150 subjects have been collected. The research is considered low risk-no more uncomfortable or dangerous than a blood draw. There is a risk of loss of privacy, but researchers are taking strong steps to protect privileged information. That includes proper data handling, secure, storage, and making sure the study team is trained in research ethics.

High Cardiovascular Risk Intervention With Cardio-Oncology Consultation for Prostate Cancer Following Androgen Receptor Pathway Inhibitor (ARPI) Therapy (Heart-Safe)

In patients with prostate cancer (PC), cardiovascular disease (CVD) causes significant morbidity and is the second leading cause of death. Both pre-existing CVD and the use of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)-a key cornerstone of treatment for men with locally advanced or metastatic PC1,2 contribute to increased CV risk. ADT has been associated with adverse metabolic effects, including increased central adiposity, elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, impaired glycemic control, and arterial wall remodeling and endothelial dysfunction The data demonstrates that for most patients, the status quo is insufficient6 and there remains a critical gap in the early identification of high CV-risk PC patients who may benefit most from aggressive risk mitigation strategies. Mitigation strategies, like the addition of statins as primary prevention, have shown decrease in MI/CHD death across thousands of patients. Age-related expansion of hematopoietic clones carrying recurrent somatic mutations, termed clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) has recently been identified as a significant driver of atherosclerosis, doubling the risk of coronary heart disease. Notably, while CHIP is detectable in \~10% of persons over 70 years old, it is enriched in patients with solid malignancies, and radiotherapy exposure is among the most decisive risk factors for developing CHIP12-15. The inflammation-related metabolic signals are activated androgen signaling and exacerbated in patients with CHIP. However, the mechanistic link and clinical consequence are less understood. Therefore, it is critical to study the CV impact of CHIP and metabolic perturbations in patients with PC treated with ARSI therapy. We plan to address these critical gaps by testing our innovative hypothesis that early cardio-oncology intervention with aggressive guidelines-based CV optimization during ARPI therapy will reduce CV risk and that CHIP and metabolomics will help identify adverse metabolic remodeling to improve CV risk prediction. Robust epidemiological and clinical trial data consistently demonstrate that patients with PC are poorly optimized from a CV risk modification perspective, and existing CV risk models do not perform well in patients with cancer. The data demonstrates that for most patients, the status quo is insufficient and there remains a critical gap in the early identification of high CV-risk PC patients who may benefit most from aggressive risk mitigation strategies.

Improving Cryoablation Efficacy With BARRigel Rectal Spacing (ICE-BARR)

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and potential protective benefit of Barrigel, a hyaluronic acid-based rectal spacer, in patients undergoing prostate cryoablation for localized or recurrent prostate cancer. The primary aim is to assess Barrigel thermal stability during cryoablation.

Development and Validation of a Non-Invasive AI Diagnostic Model for Prostate Cancer Using Multiparametric MRI and PSMA PET/CT

Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies in men. Currently, due to the limited diagnostic accuracy of existing imaging tests, there is a risk of missed diagnosis or unnecessary prostate biopsy. This study aims to develop and validate a non-invasive artificial intelligence (AI) diagnostic model using two advanced imaging techniques: multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) and PSMA PET/CT. By integrating information from both imaging modalities, the AI model is expected to improve the diagnostic accuracy of prostate cancer, reduce unnecessary biopsies, and assist physicians in making better clinical decisions. This is a retrospective, multicenter study that plans to collect imaging and pathology data from approximately 1,000 to 1,500 patients across six major hospitals in China. The diagnostic performance of the model will be evaluated, including its ability to identify clinically significant prostate cancer and its value in assisting diagnosis in patients with PSA levels in the gray zone (4-20 ng/mL).

Intraprostatic Anesthesia During Transperineal Prostate Biopsy

Transperineal prostate biopsy has become the standard method for diagnosing prostate cancer because of its favorable safety profile and low infectious complication rates. However, pain and discomfort during the procedure remain important concerns that may negatively affect patient satisfaction and willingness to undergo repeat biopsy when necessary. This prospective randomized controlled study aims to evaluate whether the addition of intraprostatic local anesthesia to standard perineal local anesthesia reduces pain during transperineal prostate biopsy. Fifty patients undergoing prostate biopsy under local anesthesia will be randomized into two groups. The first group will receive standard perineal local anesthesia, while the second group will receive additional intraprostatic local anesthesia. Pain severity will be assessed before, during, and after the procedure using a visual analog scale (VAS). Anxiety and depression levels will be evaluated preoperatively using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Patient-related factors, procedural characteristics, and post-procedural outcomes will also be recorded to identify factors associated with pain perception. The results of this study may help optimize local anesthesia techniques and improve patient comfort during transperineal prostate biopsy.

Multimodal Imaging and Digital Pathology for Prostate Cancer Prediction

This is a multicenter observational study. A deep learning model integrated with multimodal imaging and digital pathology spatial registration is built based on preoperative multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging, transrectal ultrasound and postoperative digital pathological whole slide images. The study is designed to achieve accurate prediction of clinically significant prostate cancer and non-invasive risk stratification. Unnecessary prostate biopsy and overdiagnosis can be reduced to support the optimization of clinical diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Study of the Epidemiological, Clinical, Diagnostic, and Therapeutic Characteristics of Prostate Cancers in Algeria

The goal of this observational study is to describe the demographic, epidemiological, clinical, and outcome characteristics of patients with prostate cancer. It also aims to analyze the diagnostic approaches and management strategies used in the care of these patients in Algeria.

Prognostic Value of Early Postoperative Prostate-Specific Antigen for Oncological Outcomes After Radical Prostatectomy

This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the prognostic significance of early postoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. No investigational interventions will be performed. All diagnostic procedures, follow-up assessments, and treatments will be conducted in accordance with standard clinical practice and established prostate cancer management guidelines. Participation in the study will not influence treatment decisions.

INSIGHT-PCa: MRI- and PHI-Guided Risk-Adapted Strategy for Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Prostate cancer diagnosis based on systematic or MRI-targeted biopsy is associated with substantial overdiagnosis and unnecessary invasive procedures. Although multiparametric MRI improves detection of clinically significant prostate cancer, optimal criteria for biopsy omission-particularly in men with equivocal MRI findings-remain uncertain. The INSIGHT-PCa study is a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate whether a risk-adapted diagnostic strategy integrating multiparametric MRI and the Prostate Health Index (PHI) can reduce unnecessary prostate biopsies without compromising detection of clinically significant prostate cancer. Participants with suspected prostate cancer will be randomized to either a standard MRI-based diagnostic pathway or an optimized strategy in which biopsy decisions are guided by combined MRI findings and PHI density. The primary objective is to demonstrate non-inferiority in the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer while reducing biopsy utilization and biopsy-related adverse events.

Comparison of TB+PB and TB+6SB for Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

The goal of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of two novel prostate biopsy schemes, including targeted and perilesional biopsy (TB+PB) and combination of sextant-systematic biopsy and targeted biopsy (TB+6SB). The main questions it aims to answer are: Does TB+PB promote the accurate diagnosis of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa)? Could TB+6SB achieve the non-inferior diagnostic efficacy compared to TB+PB scheme? What's the value of TB+6SB in improving the detection of prostate cancer in the negative prostate lobe (contralateral to the index lesion)? In the era of MRI-targeted biopsy (TB), when TB and PB is effectively conducted and allows confident detection of the ROI, do we still need to perform SB? Researchers will compare the cancer detection rates of TB+PB and TB+SB to explore the efficacy of different prostate biopsy schemes. They will evaluate the diagnostic profile of different prostate biopsy schemes through the spatial analysis of the prostate. Participants will: Receive TB+PB or TB+6SB.

Evolution of Lesions in Repeated Biparametric Prostate Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The goal of this clinical trial is to prospectively investigate the evolution of lesions in biparametric magnetic resonance imaging (bpMRI) of the prostate in men with no clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) in their initial biopsy. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does lesion progression in bpMRI predict a diagnosis of csPCa in per-protocol follow-up biopsies? What are the radiological and clinical risk factors for csPCa in per-protocol follow-up biopsies?

PSMA PET for Surveillance After Focal Therapy

This study is about adding PSMA PET (Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen- Positron Emission Tomography) to routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to help detect prostate cancer recurrence in men who have undergone focal therapy for prostate cancer. PSMA PET and multiparametric (mpMRI are both imaging tests that help detect prostate cancer in the body. A PSMA PET scan, or prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography scan, is an imaging test that scans and takes pictures of the prostate. PSMA scans use a specialized radioactive imaging dye that sticks to the proteins that are typically found in prostate cancer cells. This imaging dye helps locate areas of prostate cancer anywhere in the body, both inside and outside prostate. An mpMRI, or a multiparametric (mp) MRI scan, is also an imaging test that scans and takes detailed pictures of the prostate. Unlike regular MRIs, an mpMRI produces a more detailed image of the prostate. Similar to PET scans, mpMRI scans also use an imaging dye that helps the pictures of the prostate appear clearer on scans. This study will be funded by Blue Earth Diagnostics, a molecular imaging company based in England.

Assessing a Digital Exercise Intervention for Health Outcomes and Engagement in Regular Exercise

Patients diagnosed with prostate cancer and receiving hormone therapy in conjunction with radiotherapy are likely to suffer from adverse effects caused by ADT treatment either short term or long term. The most common side effects include changes in body composition leading to increased visceral fat and reduced lean muscle mass, increased risk of cardiovascular events and fatigue, which overall lower quality of life. There is strong evidence to support exercise interventions in minimising, and in some cases reversing many ADT -related toxicities, but exercise adherence remains a challenge for people living with prostate cancer, particularly due to logistical barriers to attendance such as cost and travel time, as well as insufficient motivation. The aim of this single centre, phase III randomised controlled trial is to assess the efficacy of a new digital exercise programme with virtual supervised group exercise sessions in improving adherence to exercise guidelines. The trial aims to recruit 160 participants with prostate cancer undergoing ADT, who will be allocated either the standard of care group or standard of care plus participation in the digital exercise intervention on a 1:1 ratio. Adherence to physical activity will be measured using a wearable accelerometer, an exercise diary, self-reported questionnaires and clinic based assessments at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months post radiotherapy treatment. Recruitment will take place at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Chelsea.

Castration With Abiraterone 250 mg Without LHRH Analogs or Blockers in Patients With Prostate Cancer Requiring Hormonal Intensification (Multicenter Phase 2)

Hypothesis The use of Abiraterone 250 mg with food + prednisone, without LHRH analogs or blockers (ADT), achieves castration-level testosterone at 30 days in ≥80-90% of cases.

Robot-Assisted Prostate Biopsy With a Novel Ultrasound Probe

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most diagnosed type of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer related deaths among US men, and its incidence has increased steadily in the last decade. Efforts to address the rise in PCa diagnosis without overdetection and overtreatment include targeted biopsy techniques for clinically significant PCa using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and precision targeted biopsy guided by ultrasound and fused to the MRI. The study aims to improve prostate biopsy with a novel ultrasound probe and robot developed at Johns Hopkins, the ProBot device. The trial is a Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the new device. ProBot is an entirely new concept including a novel ultrasound probe and robot kinematics specifically designed for the prostate. It operates with only two degrees of freedom configured such that the motions for 3D image scanning and biopsy may not deform the prostate gland, thus improving the accuracy of MRI-ultrasound fusion and needle targeting at biopsy. ProBot is a small and lightweight robot (1.3Kg including the ultrasound probe). It allows hands-free operation of its ultrasound probe at 3D image scanning and needle targeting supervised by the urologist. In addition to MRI-targeted biopsy (TB), at systematic biopsy (SB), instead of using the common template plan that is the same for all patients, the innovative software optimizes the plan for each patient to obtain a diagnosis that is representative of the whole gland histology. The ProBot robot is also uniquely capable of transrectal (TR) and transperineal (TP) biopsy. The aims of the study are to determine the safety and feasibility of the new device at TR and TP biopsies.

Virtual Biopsy of Prostate Cancer Using PSMA PET and AI

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in Norwegian men, but many tumors are slow-growing and do not require treatment. Today, MRI is good at detecting suspicious lesions, yet it cannot reliably distinguish aggressive tumors from low-grade ones. As a result, many men undergo repeated invasive biopsies. New PET tracers targeting PSMA improve tumor localization and may correlate with cancer aggressiveness, offering potential for better assessment. This project aims to develop a method to predict Gleason Score non-invasively by applying machine learning to PET and MRI data. The work involves early static and dynamic PSMA PET imaging, tracer kinetic modelling, deep learning, and validation of PET-based measurements of PSMA internalization using ex-vivo cellular methods. If successful, the project could reduce the number of biopsies, improve diagnostic accuracy, offer full 3D assessment of the prostate, shorten clinical workflows, and help identify patients who would benefit most from PSMA-based radioligand therapy.

Application of Quantum Detection-Driven Artificial Intelligence Algorithms for Single-Molecule cfDNA Characterization in the Early Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer

This research project aims to develop a novel blood testing method integrating cutting-edge quantum sensing and artificial intelligence technologies to achieve precise, non-invasive early diagnosis of prostate cancer. The research will employ quantum sensors to perform ultra-high-sensitivity measurements of circulating free DNA (cfDNA) in blood, thereby training a dedicated AI diagnostic model. The ultimate objective is to establish the diagnostic efficacy of this approach through clinical validation, providing clinicians with a novel diagnostic tool capable of significantly reducing unnecessary prostate biopsy procedures.

Immune Biomarkers in Prostate Cancer Patients Treated With Brachytherapy

Analysis of peripheral immune cells before, during, and after brachytherapy treatment. Corresponding analysis of tissue samples collected during brachytherapy treatment.