Radiation Therapy With or Without Androgen-Deprivation Therapy in Treating Patients With Prostate Cancer

Phase 3

Active, not recruiting

• Conditions: Prostate Cancer
• Interventions: Radiation: Dose-Escalated Radiation Therapy; Drug: bicalutamide; Drug: flutamide; Drug: LHRH agonist (antagonist) therapy

• Registration Number: NCT00936390
• Lead Sponsor: Radiation Therapy Oncology Group

Brief Summary

RATIONALE: Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays and other types of radiation to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Androgens can cause the growth of prostate cancer cells. Androgen-deprivation therapy may lessen the amount of androgens made by the body. It is not yet known whether radiation therapy is more effective with or without androgen-deprivation therapy in treating patients with prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying radiation therapy to see how well it works compared with radiation therapy given together with androgen-deprivation therapy in treating patients with prostate cancer.

Detailed Description

OBJECTIVES:

Primary

* Demonstrate an overall survival (OS) advantage in patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer treated with dose-escalated radiotherapy (RT) with versus without short-term androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT).

Secondary

* Determine whether the addition of ADT to dose-escalated RT versus RT alone improves clinical failures, biochemical failure by the "nadir +2", freedom from failure, rate of salvage ADT, and prostate cancer-specific mortality in these patients.

* Estimate the magnitude of benefit of ADT with respect to OS in patients treated with different RT modalities (i.e., external-beam radiation therapy alone vs low-dose rate brachytherapy boost vs high-dose rate brachytherapy boost).

* Compare acute and late treatment adverse events of these regimens and correlate these events with the presence or absence of pre-existing comorbidity as documented by the Adult Comorbidity Evaluation 27 assessment.

OUTLINE: This is a multicenter, dose-escalation study of radiotherapy. Patients are stratified according to number of risk factors (1 vs 2-3), comorbidity (ACE-27 grade ≥ 2 vs \< 2), and radiotherapy (RT) modality (dose-escalated external-beam RT \[EBRT\] vs EBRT and low-dose rate brachytherapy boost vs EBRT and high-dose rate brachytherapy boost). Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms. After completion of study therapy, patients are followed up periodically.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2009-07-08
• Study First Submitted QC: 2009-07-08
• Study First Posted: 2009-07-10
• Study Start: 2009-09
• Primary Completion: 2020-10-03
• Results First Submitted: 2022-08-01
• Results First Submitted QC: 2022-09-07
• Results First Posted: 2022-10-06
• Status Verified: 2024-10
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-10-08
• Last Update Posted: 2024-10-10
• Study Completion: 2025-10

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
• Sex: Male
• Target Recruitment: 1538

Inclusion Criteria

1. Pathologically (histologically) proven diagnosis of prostatic adenocarcinoma, at intermediate risk for recurrence, within 180 days prior to registration as determined by having one or more of the following intermediate-risk features: Gleason score 7; prostate-specific antigen (PSA) >10 but ≤20; clinical stage T2b-T2c.

   • Patients previously diagnosed with low risk (Gleason score ≤ 6, clinical stage < T2a, and PSA < 10) prostate cancer undergoing active surveillance who are re-biopsied and found to have intermediate risk disease according to the protocol criteria are eligible for enrollment within 180 days of the repeat biopsy procedure.

2. Clinically negative lymph nodes as established by imaging (pelvic +/- abdominal CT or MRI), nodal sampling, or dissection within 60 days prior to registration, except as noted immediately below:

   • Patients with a single intermediate risk factor only do not require abdominopelvic imaging, but these studies may be obtained at the discretion of the treating physician. Patients with 2 or 3 risk factors are required to undergo pelvic +/- abdominal CT or MRI.
   • Patients with lymph nodes equivocal or questionable by imaging are eligible without biopsy if the nodes are ≤1.5 cm; any node larger than this on imaging will require negative biopsy for eligibility.

3. No evidence of bone metastases (M0) on bone scan within 60 days prior to registration.

   • Bone scan is not required for patients enrolled with a single intermediate risk factor only, but this scan may be obtained at the discretion of the treating physician. Patients with 2 or 3 risk factors will require a negative bone scan for eligibility.
   • Equivocal bone scan findings are allowed if plain film x-rays are negative for metastasis.

4. History/physical examination (to include, at a minimum, digital rectal examination of the prostate and examination of the skeletal system and abdomen, and formal comorbidity assessment via the ACE-27 instrument) within 60 days prior to registration.

5. Zubrod Performance Status 0-1

6. Age ≥ 18

7. Baseline serum PSA value performed with an FDA-approved assay (e.g., Abbott, Hybritech) within 60 days prior to registration

   • Study entry PSA must not be obtained during the following time frames: (1) 10-day period following prostate biopsy; (2) following initiation of ADT; (3) within 30 days after discontinuation of finasteride; or (4) within 90 days after discontinuation of dutasteride.

8. For patients undergoing brachytherapy only: complete blood count (CBC)/differential obtained within 60 days prior to registration, with adequate bone marrow function defined as follows:

   • Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1,800 cells/mm3
   • Platelets ≥ 100,000 cells/mm3
   • Hemoglobin (Hgb) ≥ 8.0 g/dl (Note: The use of transfusion or other intervention to achieve Hgb ≥ 8.0 g/dl is acceptable.)

9. Patient must be able to provide study-specific informed consent prior to study entry.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Patients with Gleason Score ≥ 8; PSA > 20; OR Clinical Stage ≥ T3 are ineligible for this trial.

   • Should findings of extracapsular extension or seminal vesicle invasion be noted on prostate MRI, this study, if used, will not render patients ineligible for accrual to this protocol. Primary tumor staging for eligibility purposes is to be based on palpable or core biopsy evidence only with respect to extracapsular extension or seminal vesicle involvement.

2. Patients with all three intermediate risk factors who also have ≥ 50% of the number of their biopsy cores positive for cancer are ineligible for this trial.

3. Prior invasive malignancy (except non-melanomatous skin cancer) or hematological (e.g., leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma) malignancy unless disease free for a minimum of 5 years (prior diagnoses of carcinoma in situ are permitted)

4. Prior radical surgery (prostatectomy), high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) or cryosurgery for prostate cancer

5. Prior hormonal therapy, such as LHRH agonists (e.g., goserelin, leuprolide), antiandrogens (e.g., flutamide, bicalutamide), estrogens (e.g., DES), or bilateral orchiectomy

6. Use of finasteride within 30 days prior to registration

7. Use of dutasteride within 90 days prior to registration

8. Prior or concurrent cytotoxic chemotherapy for prostate cancer; prior chemotherapy for a different cancer is permitted.

9. Prior RT, including brachytherapy, to the region of the study cancer that would result in overlap of RT fields

   • Any patient undergoing brachytherapy must have transrectal ultrasound confirmation of prostate volume <60 cc, American Urological Association Symptom Index (AUA-SI) score ≤15 within 60 days of registration, and no history of prior transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP); prior TURP is permitted for patients who receive EBRT only)

10. Severe, active co-morbidity, defined as follows:

    • Unstable angina and/or congestive heart failure requiring hospitalization within the last 6 months
    • Transmural myocardial infarction within the last 6 months
    • Acute bacterial or fungal infection requiring intravenous antibiotics at the time of registration
    • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease exacerbation or other respiratory illness requiring hospitalization or precluding study therapy within 30 days before registration
    • Hepatic insufficiency resulting in clinical jaundice and/or coagulation defects; note, however, that laboratory tests for liver function and coagulation parameters are not required for entry into this protocol.
    • Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) based upon current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) definition; note, however, that HIV testing is not required for entry into this protocol. While the treatment employed in this study is not significantly immunosuppressive, it is felt that a diagnosis of AIDS associated with prostate cancer is likely to impact this study's primary endpoint of overall survival. Patients who are HIV seropositive but do not meet criteria for diagnosis of AIDS are eligible for study participation.

11. Men who are sexually active with a woman of child-bearing potential and not willing/able to use medically acceptable forms of contraception (e.g., surgical, barrier, medicinal) during protocol treatment and during the first 3 months after cessation of protocol treatment; this exclusion is necessary because the treatment involved in this study may be significantly teratogenic.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Dose-Escalated Radiation Therapy Alone	Dose-Escalated Radiation Therapy	Radiation therapy consists of 79.2 Gy EBRT only or 45 Gy EBRT followed by low- or high-dose rate brachytherapy. EBRT is delivered in 1.8 Gy daily fractions.
Dose-Escalated Radiation Therapy and Short-Term Androgen-Deprivation	flutamide	Radiation therapy consists of 79.2 Gy EBRT only or 45 Gy EBRT followed by low- or high-dose rate brachytherapy. EBRT is delivered in 1.8 Gy daily fractions. Six months of androgen-deprivation therapy starts 8 weeks prior to start of radiation therapy and consists of luteinizing-hormone releasing-hormone (LHRH) agonist (antagonist) therapy (leuprolide, goserelin, buserelin. triptorelin, or degarelix) and anti-androgen therapy (bicalutamide or flutamide).
Dose-Escalated Radiation Therapy and Short-Term Androgen-Deprivation	LHRH agonist (antagonist) therapy	Radiation therapy consists of 79.2 Gy EBRT only or 45 Gy EBRT followed by low- or high-dose rate brachytherapy. EBRT is delivered in 1.8 Gy daily fractions. Six months of androgen-deprivation therapy starts 8 weeks prior to start of radiation therapy and consists of luteinizing-hormone releasing-hormone (LHRH) agonist (antagonist) therapy (leuprolide, goserelin, buserelin. triptorelin, or degarelix) and anti-androgen therapy (bicalutamide or flutamide).
Dose-Escalated Radiation Therapy and Short-Term Androgen-Deprivation	Dose-Escalated Radiation Therapy	Radiation therapy consists of 79.2 Gy EBRT only or 45 Gy EBRT followed by low- or high-dose rate brachytherapy. EBRT is delivered in 1.8 Gy daily fractions. Six months of androgen-deprivation therapy starts 8 weeks prior to start of radiation therapy and consists of luteinizing-hormone releasing-hormone (LHRH) agonist (antagonist) therapy (leuprolide, goserelin, buserelin. triptorelin, or degarelix) and anti-androgen therapy (bicalutamide or flutamide).
Dose-Escalated Radiation Therapy and Short-Term Androgen-Deprivation	bicalutamide	Radiation therapy consists of 79.2 Gy EBRT only or 45 Gy EBRT followed by low- or high-dose rate brachytherapy. EBRT is delivered in 1.8 Gy daily fractions. Six months of androgen-deprivation therapy starts 8 weeks prior to start of radiation therapy and consists of luteinizing-hormone releasing-hormone (LHRH) agonist (antagonist) therapy (leuprolide, goserelin, buserelin. triptorelin, or degarelix) and anti-androgen therapy (bicalutamide or flutamide).

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Percentage of Participants Alive (Overall Survival)	From randomization to last follow-up. Follow-up schedule: end of RT (2nd arm only), then every 3 months for a year, every 4 months for 4 years, then yearly. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 10.3 years. Five-year rates reported here.	Overall survival time is defined as time from randomization to the date of death from any cause or last known follow-up (censored). Overall survival rates are estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. The protocol specifies that the distributions of failure times be compared between the arms, which is reported in the statistical analysis results. Five-year rates are provided here. Analysis was planned to occur after 218 deaths were reported.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Percentage of Participants With Biochemical Failure	From randomization to last follow-up. Follow-up schedule: end of RT (2nd arm only), then every 3 months for a year, every 4 months for 4 years, then yearly. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 10.3 years. Five-year rates reported here.	Biochemical failure is defined as an increase of at least 2 ng/ml above the nadir PSA. Failure time is defined as time from randomization to the date of first failure, last known follow-up (censored), or death without failure (competing risk). Failure rates are estimated using the cumulative incidence method. The protocol specifies that the distributions of failure times be compared between the arms, which is reported in the statistical analysis results. Five-year rates are provided here. Analysis was planned to occur after 218 deaths were reported.
Percentage of Participants With Local Recurrence	From randomization to last follow-up. Follow-up schedule: end of RT (2nd arm only), then every 3 months for a year, every 4 months for 4 years, then yearly. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 10.3 years. Five-year rates reported here.	Local recurrence (failure) is defined as clinical (palpable) suspicion of local recurrence \[this date is used\] confirmed by biopsy. Failure time is defined as time from randomization to the date of first failure, last known follow-up (censored), or death without failure (competing risk). Failure rates are estimated using the cumulative incidence method. The protocol specifies that the distributions of failure times be compared between the arms, which is reported in the statistical analysis results. Five-year rates are provided here. Analysis was planned to occur after 218 deaths were reported.
Percentage of Participants With Regional Recurrence	From randomization to last follow-up. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 10.3 years.	Regional recurrence is defined as the documented progression in pelvic lymph nodes. If discovered on image of the pelvis prompted by a biochemical failure, then the event date would be the date of documented biochemical failure.
Percentage of Participants With Distant Metastasis	From randomization to last follow-up. Follow-up schedule: end of RT (2nd arm only), then every 3 months for a year, every 4 months for 4 years, then yearly. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 10.3 years. Five-year rates reported here.	Distant metastasis (failure) is defined as metastatic disease documented by any method. If diagnosed on diagnostic imaging prompted by biochemical failure, then the event date will be the date of biochemical progression.; Failure time is defined as time from randomization to the date of first failure, last known follow-up (competing risk), or death without failure (censored). Failure rates are estimated using the cumulative incidence method. The protocol specifies that the distributions of failure times be compared between the arms, which is reported in the statistical analysis results. Five-year rates are provided here. Analysis was planned to occur after 218 deaths were reported.
Percentage of Participants Dead Due to Prostate Cancer (Prostate Cancer-specific Mortality)	From randomization to last follow-up. Follow-up schedule: end of RT (2nd arm only), then every 3 months for a year, every 4 months for 4 years, then yearly. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 10.3 years. Five-year rates reported here.	Prostate cancer specific mortality (failure) is defined as death due to prostate cancer or a complication from treatment. Failure time is defined as time from randomization to the date of first failure, last known follow-up (censored), or death without failure (competing risk). Failure rates are estimated using the cumulative incidence method. The protocol specifies that the distributions of failure times be compared between the arms, which is reported in the statistical analysis results. Five-year rates are provided here. Analysis was planned to occur after 218 deaths were reported.
Percentage of Participants Dead Due to Cause Other Than Prostate Cancer (Non-Prostate Cancer-specific Mortality)	From randomization to last follow-up. Follow-up schedule: end of RT (2nd arm only), then every 3 months for a year, every 4 months for 4 years, then yearly. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 10.3 years. Five-year rates reported here.	Non-prostate cancer specific mortality is defined as a death without evidence of prostate cancer or a complication from treatment. . Failure time is defined as time from randomization to the date of first failure, last known follow-up (censored), or death without failure (competing risk). Failure rates are estimated using the cumulative incidence method. The protocol specifies that the distributions of failure times be compared between the arms, which is reported in the statistical analysis results. Five-year rates are provided here. Analysis was planned to occur after 218 deaths were reported.
Percentage of Participants Receiving Salvage Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT)	From randomization to last follow-up. Follow-up schedule: end of RT (2nd arm only), then every 3 months for a year, every 4 months for 4 years, then yearly. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 10.3 years. Five-year rates reported here.	Salvage (non-protocol) ADT administration is defined as the first administration of subsequent ADT (either LHRH agonist or anti-androgen) Failure time is defined as time from randomization to the date of first failure, last known follow-up (censored), or death without failure (competing risk). Salvage ADT rates are estimated using the cumulative incidence method. The protocol specifies that the distributions of salvage ADT times be compared between the arms, which is reported in the statistical analysis results. Five-year rates are provided here. Analysis was planned to occur after 218 deaths were reported.
Percentage of Participants Alive (Overall Survival) by Radiation Therapy Modality	From randomization to last follow-up. Follow-up schedule: end of RT (2nd arm only), then every 3 months for a year, every 4 months for 4 years, then yearly. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 10.3 years. Five-year rates reported here.	Overall survival time is defined as time from randomization to the date of death from any cause or last known follow-up (censored). Overall survival rates are estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Five-year rates are provided here. Analysis was planned to occur after 218 deaths were reported.
Number of Participants With Acute Adverse Events	From randomization to last follow-up. Follow-up schedule: end of RT (2nd arm only), then every 3 months for a year, every 4 months for 4 years, then yearly. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 10.3 years.	Summary data is provided in this outcome measure; see Adverse Events Module for specific adverse event data. Acute adverse events are defined as occuring within 30 days of completion of radiation therapy.
Percentage of Participants With Late Grade 3+ Adverse Events	From randomization to last follow-up. Follow-up schedule: end of RT (2nd arm only), then every 3 months for a year, every 4 months for 4 years, then yearly. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 10.3 years. Five-year rates are reported here.	Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 4.0) grades adverse event severity from 1=mild to 5=death. Summary data is provided in this outcome measure; see Adverse Events Module for specific adverse event data. Late adverse events are defined as occurring more than 30 days after the end of radiation therapy. Failure is defined as grade 3 or higher late adverse event. Failure time is defined as time from randomization to the date of first failure, last known follow-up (censored), or death without failure (competing risk). Failure rates are estimated using the cumulative incidence method. The protocol specifies that the distributions of failure times be compared between the arms, which is reported in the statistical analysis results. Five-year rates are provided here. Analysis was planned to occur after 218 deaths were reported.
Percentage of Participants Failed (Freedom From Failure)	From randomization to last follow-up. Follow-up schedule: end of RT (2nd arm only), then every 3 months for a year, every 4 months for 4 years, then yearly. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 10.3 years. Five-year rates are reported here.	Failure is defined as biochemical failure, local failure, or distant metastasis. Failure time is defined as time from randomization to the date of first failure, last known follow-up (censored), or death without failure (competing risk). Failure rates are estimated using the cumulative incidence method. The protocol specifies that the distributions of failure times be compared between the arms, which is reported in the statistical analysis results. Five-year rates are provided here. Analysis was planned to occur after 218 deaths were reported.
Change From Baseline in Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) Urinary Domain Score	Last week of RT (approximately 9 and 17 weeks from start of protocol treatment for Arm 1 and 2, respectively), then 6 months, 1 year and 5 years from end of RT.	The EPIC assesses disease-specific aspects of prostate cancer and it's therapies and consists of four summary domains (bowel, urinary, sexual, and hormonal), each ranging from 0-100, with higher scores representing better health-related quality of life. Change is calculated as time point value - baseline value, such that a positive change indicates improvement.
Change From Baseline in Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) Bowel Domain Score	Last week of RT (approximately 9 and 17 weeks from start of protocol treatment for Arm 1 and 2, respectively), then 6 months, 1 year and 5 years from end of RT.	The EPIC assesses disease-specific aspects of prostate cancer and it's therapies and consists of four summary domains (bowel, urinary, sexual, and hormonal), each ranging from 0-100, with higher scores representing better health-related quality of life. Change is calculated as time point value - baseline value, such that a positive change indicates improvement.
Change From Baseline in Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) Hormonal Domain Score	Last week of RT (approximately 9 and 17 weeks from start of protocol treatment for Arm 1 and 2, respectively), then 6 months, 1 year and 5 years from end of RT.	The EPIC assesses disease-specific aspects of prostate cancer and it's therapies and consists of four summary domains (bowel, urinary, sexual, and hormonal), each ranging from 0-100, with higher scores representing better health-related quality of life. Change is calculated as time point value - baseline value, such that a positive change indicates improvement.
Change From Baseline in Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) Sexual Domain Score	Last week of RT (approximately 9 and 17 weeks from start of protocol treatment for Arm 1 and 2, respectively), then 6 months, 1 year and 5 years from end of RT.	The EPIC assesses disease-specific aspects of prostate cancer and it's therapies and consists of four summary domains (bowel, urinary, sexual, and hormonal), each ranging from 0-100, with higher scores representing better health-related quality of life. Change is calculated as time point value - baseline value, such that a positive change indicates improvement.
Change From Baseline in Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Fatigue Domain Score	Last week of RT (approximately 9 and 17 weeks from start of protocol treatment for Arm 1 and 2, respectively), then 6 months, 1 year and 5 years from end of RT.	The PROMIS Fatigue short form 8a contains 8 questions, each with 5 responses ranging from 1 to 5, evaluating self-reported fatigue symptoms over the past 7 days. The total score is the sum of all questions which is then converted into a pro-rated T-score with a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10, with a possible range of 33.1 to 77.8. Higher scores indicate more fatigue. Change is defined as value at one year - value at baseline. Positive change from baseline indicates increased fatigue at one year.
Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs)	Last week of RT (approximately 9 and 17 weeks from start of protocol treatment for Arm 1 and 2, respectively), then 6 months, 1 year and 5 years from end of RT.
Correlation Between PROMIS Fatigue Score Change and Plasma Cytokine Change	From date of randomization to 3 weeks from start of RT.

Trial Locations

Locations (517)

University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer Center; 🇺🇸 Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Fairbanks Memorial Hospital; 🇺🇸 Fairbanks, Alaska, United States

Arizona Center for Cancer Care-Peoria; 🇺🇸 Peoria, Arizona, United States

Saint Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center; 🇺🇸 Phoenix, Arizona, United States

21st Century Oncology-Scottsdale; 🇺🇸 Scottsdale, Arizona, United States

Mayo Clinic in Arizona; 🇺🇸 Scottsdale, Arizona, United States

Arizona Oncology Services Foundation; 🇺🇸 Scottsdale, Arizona, United States

Arizona Oncology Associates-West Orange Grove; 🇺🇸 Tucson, Arizona, United States

Mercy Cancer Center-Hot Springs; 🇺🇸 Hot Springs, Arkansas, United States

Sutter Cancer Centers Radiation Oncology Services-Auburn; 🇺🇸 Auburn, California, United States

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