A new clinical research trial for patients with high-risk prostate cancer has been launched at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre (CCC).
This trial, called PACE NODES, focuses on the use of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), a treatment that delivers high doses of radiation over fewer sessions, typically five appointments, to patients with prostate cancer that has not yet spread.
While previous studies have shown the benefits of SBRT for patients with low or intermediate-risk localised prostate cancer, PACE NODES – which has Clinical Oncologist Dr Shaun Tolan as Principal Investigator at CCC – aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of SBRT in high-risk patient groups.
Eligible patients will be randomly assigned to receive either SBRT to the prostate alone or SBRT to both the prostate and pelvic nodes. The primary goal of the trial is to determine whether treating both the prostate and nodes is more effective in preventing relapse compared to treating the prostate alone.
Clinical Research Dosimetrist Sharon McGinn said: "We are very pleased to be able to offer this study to prostate patients in the North West. Clatterbridge has a great track record of recruiting to urology clinical trials, recently being the highest recruiter to the PIVOTALBoost trial in the UK.
“We know the benefits that access to clinical trials provides for our patients, as well as the important role these trials play in advancing the quality of treatments within our department.”
