Functional imaging guided stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) with focal dose escalation and bladder trigone sparing for intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer: study protocol for phase II safo trial

Abstract

Background: Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) is an emerging treatment alternative for patients with localized low and intermediate risk prostate cancer patients. As already explored by some authors in the context of conventional moderate hypofractionated radiotherapy, focal boost of the index lesion defined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is associated with an improved biochemical outcome. The objective of this phase II trial is to determine the effectiveness (in terms of biochemical, morphological and functional control), the safety and impact on quality of life, of prostate SABR with MRI guided focal dose intensification in males with intermediate and high-risk localized prostate cancer.

Methods: Patients with intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer according to NCCN definition will be treated with SABR 36.25 Gy in 5 fractions to the whole prostate gland with MRI guided simultaneous integrated focal boost (SIB) to the index lesion (IL) up to 50 Gy in 5 fractions, using a protocol of bladder trigone and urethra sparing. Intra-fractional motion will be monitored with daily cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and intra-fractional tracking with intraprostatic gold fiducials. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) will be allowed. The primary endpoint will be efficacy in terms of biochemical and local control assessed by Phoenix criteria and post-treatment MRI respectively. The secondary endpoints will encompass acute and late toxicity, quality of life (QoL) and progression-free survival. Finally, the subgroup of high-risk patients will be involved in a prospective study focused on immuno-phenotyping.

Discussion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first trial to evaluate the impact of post-treatment MRI on local control among patients with intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer undergoing SABR and MRI guided focal intensification. The results of this trial will enhance our understanding of treatment focal intensification through the employment of the SABR technique within this specific patient subgroup, particularly among those with high-risk disease, and will help to clarify the significance of MRI in monitoring local responses. Hopefully will also help to design more personalized biomarker-based phase III trials in this specific context. Additionally, this trial is expected to be incorporated into a prospective radiomics study focused on localized prostate cancer treated with radiotherapy.

Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT05919524; Registered 17 July 2023.

Trial sponsor: IRAD/SEOR (Instituto de Investigación de Oncología Radioterápica / Sociedad Española de Oncología Radioterápica).

Study setting: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT05919524; Registered 17 July 2023.

Trial status: Protocol version number and date: v. 5/ 17 May-2023. Date of recruitment start: August 8, 2023. Date of recruitment completion: July 1, 2024.

Keywords: Biochemical control; Extreme hypofractionation; Focal boost; High-risk prostate cancer; MRI; Magnetic resonance imaging; Prostate cancer; SABR; SBRT; Ultrahypofractionation.