RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

The PROSECCA Study, Answering New Questions in Prostate Cancer

The PROSECCA study is looking into how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can improve radiotherapy for men with prostate cancer. Radiotherapy is good at treating cancer, but it can sometimes cause side effects in healthy tissues. Many patients live long lives after treatment, so reducing these side effects is really important. This study will use AI to look at health records from thousands of prostate cancer patients in Scotland. By understanding how different people respond to radiotherapy, we hope to find ways to personalise treatment so it's more effective and causes fewer side effects for each individual. This could help doctors identify who might be at higher risk of side effects before treatment even starts, allowing them to adjust plans accordingly.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Edinburgh

Enrolment target

15,000

Start

01 Jul 2024

Estimated completion

30 Sep 2028

Prostate Cancer

What is this study about?

Radiotherapy is a common and effective treatment for many cancers, including prostate cancer. It works by using high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. However, these rays can sometimes also affect healthy tissues nearby, leading to side effects. As more and more people are surviving cancer for many years, managing these side effects is becoming increasingly important for their quality of life.

At the moment, radiotherapy treatment plans can be quite standard. But what if we could tailor the treatment for each person? This study, called PROSECCA, aims to do just that for prostate cancer. We believe that by looking at a person's individual health information, we can predict how they might react to radiotherapy. This means we could adjust their treatment to give them the best chance of getting rid of the cancer while also protecting healthy parts of their body as much as possible.

The PROSECCA study will use a clever computer program called Artificial Intelligence (AI) to analyse the health records of up to 15,000 men who had radiotherapy for prostate cancer in Scotland. The AI will look for patterns in these records to understand what factors in a person's medical history might mean they are more likely to have side effects or respond differently to treatment. Our goal is to identify these important details so that in the future, doctors can spot these patients earlier and adapt their radiotherapy plan specifically for them.

Key takeaways

This study aims to make radiotherapy for prostate cancer safer and more effective.
It uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to analyse existing health records.
The goal is to personalise treatment by predicting who might get side effects.
No new patients are being recruited for treatment; it's about looking at past data.
The research uses anonymous information to protect patient privacy.
Findings could improve future radiotherapy plans for men with prostate cancer.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking at information from men who have already been treated for prostate cancer, so no new patients are being recruited for treatment. Instead, we are looking at the anonymous health records of men who fit certain criteria.

To be included, the men must have received a type of radiotherapy called 'external beam radiotherapy'. They also need to have had their PSA (a blood test for prostate health) checked regularly after treatment, and they must have lived for at least 10 years after their radiotherapy. We also need to have certain scans available, like CT scans taken for diagnosis and for planning their radiotherapy. Finally, there needs to be enough information in their health records to understand any side effects they might have experienced.

We won't be able to include records from men who didn't complete their full course of radiotherapy, or if there isn't enough information about their PSA levels, follow-up health, or imaging scans to help with the study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Did you receive external beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer?
Was your PSA (a blood test for prostate health) checked regularly after treatment?
Did you live at least 10 years after your radiotherapy?
Were CT scans taken for your diagnosis and radiotherapy planning?
Are your health records detailed enough to include information about any side effects?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study doesn't involve any new treatments, clinic visits, or assessments for patients. Instead, it involves researchers carefully analysing existing, anonymous health records from men who have already received radiotherapy for prostate cancer in Scotland. There is no direct participation required from individuals, as we are using data that has already been collected and is stored securely. The study does not involve taking any medication or having any follow-up appointments.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no direct risks to individuals whose data is used in this study, as it involves the analysis of anonymous, existing health records. Your personal identity will not be known to the researchers. The potential benefit is that the findings from this research could significantly improve how radiotherapy is planned for future prostate cancer patients, leading to more personalised and effective treatments with fewer side effects. This study aims to help many people in the future. As this study does not involve direct patient interaction, the concept of 'withdrawal' in the traditional sense does not apply.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

University of Edinburgh
Verified postcode
Edinburgh, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is AI and how is it used here?

AI, or Artificial Intelligence, is a smart computer program. In this study, it's used to look through a huge amount of health information to find patterns that humans might miss, helping us understand how different people react to radiotherapy.

Will my personal details be safe?

Absolutely. This study uses anonymous health records, which means all identifying details are removed. Your personal identity will not be shared or known to the researchers.

Who is funding this research?

The information provided doesn't specify the funding source, but PROSECCA is a research project aiming to improve cancer care.

What will happen if the study is successful?

If successful, this study could lead to new ways of planning radiotherapy for prostate cancer patients. Doctors might be able to offer more personalised treatment, reducing side effects and improving outcomes for many people in the future.

Will I get to see my own data or results?

Since this study uses anonymous data from many patients, it's not possible for individuals to see their own specific data or receive personal results from the research.

How to find out more

Bill Nailon

w.nailon@ed.ac.uk 0044 1315371000 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.