HDR Brachytherapy as Monotherapy for Low and Intermediate Risk Prostate Cancer (BRP2)

March 15, 2022 updated by: Marjory Jolicoeur, CR-CSSS Champlain-Charles-Le Moyne

HDR Brachytherapy Used as Monotherapy for Low and Intermediate Risk Prostate Cancer: a Phase II Randomized Trial

The purpose of this study is to evaluate High-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy (1 vs 2 fractions on single implant) as monotherapy for the treatment of low risk and intermediate risk prostate cancer

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

INTRODUCTION:

Several modalities of radiotherapy treatments are available for low and intermediate risk of prostate cancer, all avec similar results on biochemical control and toxicities. Among them, the brachytherapy consist in the implantation of radioactive sources directly in the prostate. Due to the fast dose shot/application of brachytherapy, the irradiation dose is less damaging to neighbor organs. This specific brachytherapy behavior can enhance the control over cancer while reducing toxicities.

Brachytherapy treatment can be delivered by high-dose-rate (HDR) while, at this time, catheters are implanted in the prostate and retrieved right after treatment (10-15 minutes). HDR brachytherapy dose is more coherent than LDR brachytherapy, because it is not under the risk of loss or migration of its source, neither the variations of prostate size due to swelling or shrinkage after the implantation. A more precise and reproducible dose coverage is accomplished with better preserving of the urethra, bladder, and rectum.

Several authors are investigating HDR brachytherapy and comparing doses and the number of fractions of the different treatment plans.

Morton et al. researched the use of one single fraction of 15 Gray HDR with External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) for the treatment of intermediate risk. The investigators found a progression free survival rate higher than 95% at 5 years follow-up, making this the more used treatment plan at this time.

Since investigators already have good control rates with LDR brachytherapy for low and intermediate risk cancers with lower toxicity rates, investigators began to question the need of adjunct external radiotherapy. Besides those rates, HDR brachytherapy has other advantages such as: Medical staff is not subjected to radiation, no radiation source is left on the patient's body, treatment time is decreased from several months to few minutes, and the dose distribution is better used because of the capacity to precisely control the source position during treatment.

HDR brachytherapy is usually given is small fraction number, but the optimal fraction number for HDR monotherapy is unknown. Most researchers prescribe 4 to 6 fractions, with a 6 hours interval between fractions. Catheters are left in place and treatment lasts from two to several days, unavoidably needing patient's hospitalisation. Another possible inconvenience is the possible catheters displacement between fractions, leading to verifications and corrections before each fraction is delivered. Trying to reduce the number of fractions and give enough dose is being studied in several institutions. The dose is not only related to the efficacy of the treatment, but also to the toxicities related to it.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate High-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy (1 vs 2 fractions on single implant) as monotherapy for the treatment of low risk and intermediate risk prostate cancer. One fraction HDR brachytherapy will be delivered in one 19.5 Gy dose, while the two fractions will be delivered in two fractions of 14.5 Gy (total dose of 29Gy), both on single implant procedure. This evaluation will be carried under a single institution as a phase II randomized clinical trial (RTC) design.

Hypothesis:

The HDR brachytherapy as monotherapy given in one or two fractions (one fraction of 19.5 Gy or two fractions of 14.5Gy) is well tolerated and effective for the treatment of low and intermediate risk prostate cancers.

Objectives:

Primary Objective:

The aim of this study is to evaluate acute (early) toxicities (genitourinary and gastrointestinal) of HDR brachytherapy (1 vs 2 fractions on single implant) as monotherapy for low and intermediate risk prostate cancer.

Secondary Objectives:

  • Measure overall survival and progression free survival rate
  • Evaluate the evolution of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and its time to return to baseline.
  • Evaluate late genitourinary and gastrointestinal toxicities changes measured by RTOG and CTCAE v4 score
  • Evaluate biochemical failure
  • Evaluate erectile dysfunction rates
  • Investigate associations between dosimetric parameters and toxicity
  • Investigate associations between iUrethra parameters and toxicity
  • Assess changes in the quality of life of patients - EORTC QLQ-C30

METHODS:

Patient's selection and randomization:

Inclusion and exclusion criteria are described elsewhere. Once patients fullfil all selection criteria they will be randomized between one of the 2 arms of the study (1 or 2 fractions) by sealed envelope system.

Treatment:

Patients will undergo preoperative standard care conditions. The procedure will be taken under regional anesthesia with sterile conditions; Foley urinary catheter will be inserted and will aid the urethra delimitation. The bladder will be emptied and the catheter will be clamped. Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) will guide the placement of the transperineal catheters. The number of temporary interstitial catheters will be based on the size and shape of the prostate (at least 16 catheters will be implanted).

Optimization of treatment plan will be done with Oncentra (Elekta) based on MRI imaging done post-implant. The following contours will be delimited: the prostate, the urinary catheter (urethra), the urethra as seen on the MRI (iUrethra), the rectum and the bladder. Catheters will be rebuilt on the planning system. The dose calculations will be done by reverse planning. After treatment, catheters will be removed and the patient will be transferred to the recovery room. Patient will be sent home after recovery with urinary catheter. Urinary catheter will be retrieved the day after.

Patients receiving two fractions will undergo CT scan before the second fraction, if the catheters have to be repositioned, appropriate adjustments will be made to optimize the dose distribution and correct any changes in dosimetry of the implant.

Patient's evaluation:

After the end of treatment, patients will be seen at 1, 3 and 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and then every 6 months until year 5. PSA, IPSS, IIEF5 and EORTC QLQ-C30 will be fulfilled during follow-up appointments.

Procedures for biochemical recurrence will be at the discretion of the attending physician.

New biopsies will not be performed if local recurrence is suspected and that the metastatic work-up (abdominopelvic CT scan, bone scintigraphy) is positive. Nevertheless, in cases of suspicion of local or remote recccurence investigation will take place.

Statistics:

The assumption is that for each arm the probability of a standard deviation difference will be higher than 0.5 of the urinary toxicities at one year compared to the baseline will be lower than or equal to our current standards.

Sample size:

To detect this difference, the test of proportions was used with the NCSS / PASS software. The sample size was estimated at 180 patients (90 per arm) calculated with 99% power and a 0.05 significance level (one-tail test). Considering 10% ineligibility, the required sample size is 200 patients (100 per arm).

Statistical analysis:

Statistical analysis will be performed at SAS 9.3 software package. Anova repeated measures (Mixed Models) and regression logistic regression models (GEE: Generalized Estimation Equations) will be used.

These multivariate models will allow us to determine the potential associations between our dependent variables while controlling as much for socio-demographic factors and especially for potentially confounding clinical variables.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

199

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Canada
    • Quebec
      • Greenfield Park, Quebec, Canada, J4V 2H1
        • Hopital Charles LeMoyne

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

16 years to 83 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

Male

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Histologically proven prostate adenocarcinoma
  • Clinical Stage T1c - T2c
  • Gleason Score between 6 and 7
  • PSA < 15 ng / ml
  • Prostate volume < 70 cc as determined by ultrasound or IRM
  • Signed informer consent
  • Clinical conditions for complete diagnosis checkup and treatment procedure
  • Should be able to complete IIEFS,IPSS and QLQ-C30 questionnaires
  • Bone and pelvic scan negative for metastasis

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Prior pelvis radiation
  • Prior Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) (less than 6 months)
  • International Prostate Symptom Score: IPSS > 16
  • Contraindication to radiotherapy
  • No prior use of Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)
  • Observation: 5 alpha-reductase (5AR) inhibitors is authorized.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: 2 fractions of 14.5 Gy HDR Brachytherapy

High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy as monotherapy at a dose of 29 Gy is delivered in 2 fractions of 14.5 Gy, minimum 6 hours a part, delivered on a single implant procedure with 2 MRI assisted plannings and dosimetries.

HDR brachytherapy implant is done under anesthesia with ultrasound guidance as an out-patient procedure.
Radiation: HDR brachytherapy as monotherapy
Experimental: 1 fraction of 19.5 Gy HDR brachytherapy

HDR Brachytherapy as monotherapy at a dose 19.5 Gy is delivered in 1 fraction. Treatment is done on a single ultrasound guided implant, post implant MRI assisted planning and dosimetry.

HDR brachytherapy implant is done under anesthesia with ultrasound guidance as an out-patient procedure.
Radiation: HDR brachytherapy as monotherapy

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Acute (early) genitourinary and gastrointestinal toxicity
Time Frame: 10 years
Acute genitourinary and gastrointestinal toxicities of HDR Brachytherapy will be graded using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) Score at each follow up time point.
10 years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Overall survival
Time Frame: 10 years

The difference in median overall survival will be compared between the two arms.

Overall survival (OS) measured in months from baseline to death from any cause.
10 years
Local - Progression free survival (PFS)
Time Frame: 10 years
The difference in median PFS will be compared between the two arms. Progression free survival (PFS) measured in months from baseline to local disease relapse.
10 years
Distant - Progression free survival (PFS)
Time Frame: 10 years
The difference in median PFS will be compared between the two arms. Progression free survival (PFS) measured in months from baseline to distant disease relapse.
10 years
Evolution of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and time to return to baseline
Time Frame: 3 years
IPSS scores will be measured at baseline, 1 week, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, 24 months and 36 months.
3 years
Late genitourinary and gastrointestinal toxicities changes
Time Frame: 10 years
Late Late genitourinary and gastrointestinal toxicities measured measured by CTCAE v4 and RTOG score
10 years
Biochemical failure
Time Frame: 10 years
PSA measure changes will be recorded every 3 months for the first 2 years, every 6 months to 5 years and then annually to 10 years.
10 years
Erectile dysfunction rates - IIEF5 score
Time Frame: 3 years
IIEF5 scores will be measured at baseline, 1 week, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, 24 months and 36 months.
3 years
Associations between dosimetric parameters and toxicity
Time Frame: 3 years
Patients with symptomatic prostatitis will be identified
3 years
Associations between iUrethra and toxicity
Time Frame: 3 years

iUrethra is represented by urethra MRI imaging and draw upon the length of the previous targeted volume (1cm inferior and superior margins).

iUrethra differs from the urethra measure, since it is not draw upon the urinary catheter.
3 years
Changes in the quality of life of patients - EORTC QLQ-C30
Time Frame: 5 years
Scores will be evaluated at baseline, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 60 months
5 years

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

CR-CSSS Champlain-Charles-Le Moyne

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Marjory Jolicoeur, MD, CSSS Champlain-Charles-Le Moyne

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

June 22, 2015

Primary Completion (Actual)

June 22, 2019

Study Completion (Actual)

February 22, 2022

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

January 29, 2018

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 5, 2018

First Posted (Actual)

February 7, 2018

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 17, 2022

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 15, 2022

Last Verified

March 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • AA-HCLM-14-034

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

No

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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