Active not recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

PSMA PET/CT for Assessment of Recurrent Prostate Cancer

This study is looking at a new type of scan called PSMA PET/CT for men whose prostate cancer has come back. Prostate cancer is a common illness, and even after initial treatment like surgery or radiation, it can sometimes return. When this happens, it's important to find out exactly where the cancer is to plan the best treatment. Standard scans aren't always clear, especially if the cancer marker in the blood (PSA) is low. This new scan uses a special dye that highlights prostate cancer cells, aiming to give doctors a much clearer picture of where the cancer has spread within the body. It’s for men whose cancer has returned but other scans haven’t given clear answers.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Sponsor

British Columbia Cancer Agency

Enrolment target

2,244

Start

16 Mar 2017

Estimated completion

01 Jun 2030

Prostatic Neoplasms Prostate Cancer

What is this study about?

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men in the UK. Many men are cured with initial treatments like surgery or radiation therapy. However, for some, the cancer can unfortunately return. If your cancer comes back, one of the most important things for your doctors to know is exactly where it has returned – whether it’s in the same area or if it’s spread to other parts of your body. This information is key to deciding which treatment will work best for you.

Currently, doctors use a few different types of scans to look for recurrent cancer. But sometimes, these scans aren't clear enough, especially if the level of a protein called PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) in your blood is still quite low. This can make it difficult for doctors to pinpoint the exact location of the cancer. This study is exploring a new, more advanced scan called PSMA PET/CT, which uses a special, safe dye that attaches specifically to prostate cancer cells.

The aim of this study is to see how well this PSMA PET/CT scan can find recurrent prostate cancer, particularly in men whose standard scans haven’t shown clear results. By getting a clearer picture of where the cancer is, doctors hope to make more informed treatment decisions, which could ultimately lead to better outcomes for patients.

Key takeaways

This study uses a special scan (PSMA PET/CT) to find recurrent prostate cancer.
It aims to get clearer pictures than standard scans, especially if PSA levels are low.
Participation involves an injection and a longer scan appointment (about 5 hours total).
It could help doctors make more informed treatment decisions.
You'll be checked for side effects the day after the scan.

Who may be eligible?

This study is for men who have been previously treated for prostate cancer, but their cancer has shown signs of returning. This usually means their PSA levels have gone up after treatment, or they have other scan results that suggest the cancer might be back but aren't conclusive.

You might be suitable if you've had surgery and your PSA levels didn't go to zero, or if they went up again later. The most recent PSA reading should be above 0.4 ng/mL. If you had radiation therapy, your PSA should be more than 2 ng/mL above its lowest point after treatment. The study also includes men whose cancer has become resistant to hormone therapy, with a minimum PSA of 2.0 ng/mL.

To join, you need to be generally well enough to take part and lie flat for the scan. You can’t be too ill at the time, or exceed the weight or size limits for the scanner. You also need to be able to understand and sign the consent forms.

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.

Have you been treated for prostate cancer before?
Has your prostate cancer shown signs of coming back (e.g., rising PSA)?
Are you generally well enough to lie still for a few hours?
Do you meet the minimum PSA level requirements after your previous treatment?
Are you able to travel to Vancouver, Canada, for the scan?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you will have a special PSMA PET/CT scan at a hospital in Vancouver, Canada. Before the scan, a small amount of a special tracer (called 18F-DCFPyL) will be injected into your vein. You'll then rest for about two hours in a comfortable chair while the tracer travels through your body. After this, you'll have the PET/CT scan, which will take around three hours. This means the whole visit for the scan will be about five hours longer than a standard hospital visit.

We will also ask you to fill in a questionnaire about your health history and contact you the day after your scan, either in person or by phone. This is to check if you had any side effects from the special tracer. Your doctors might also follow up on any findings from the scan with other tests like biopsies or different scans, but these extra tests are up to your own doctor and won't be part of the study requirements. We'll collect the results of these tests to see how accurate the PSMA PET/CT scan was.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may offer the benefit of potentially identifying where your cancer has returned more clearly, which could help your doctors plan your treatment more effectively. As with any medical procedure, there are some potential risks, mainly from the injection of the tracer and the scan itself, such as a very small exposure to radiation, though this is carefully controlled. You might also experience minor, temporary side effects from the tracer; we will check for these the day after your scan. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

BC Cancer
Verified postcode
Vancouver, Canada

Common questions

What is PSA?

PSA stands for Prostate-Specific Antigen. It's a protein made by prostate cells, and its level in the blood can go up if you have prostate cancer or other prostate conditions.

What is a PET/CT scan?

A PET/CT scan combines two types of imaging: a PET scan (which shows how your organs are working) and a CT scan (which takes detailed X-ray pictures). This combination gives doctors a very clear picture of your body.

What does 'recurrent prostate cancer' mean?

This means that after initial treatment for prostate cancer, the cancer has shown signs of coming back, often indicated by rising PSA levels.

Will I get my scan results?

Yes, the results of your scan will be shared with your managing doctor, who will then discuss them with you as part of your overall care.

Is the tracer safe?

The tracer used is radioactive, but the dose is very small and carefully regulated, similar to the amount you might receive from other diagnostic medical imaging.