RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Four-Timepoint Multi-tracer PET Imaging to Characterize Metastatic prOstate Cancer Heterogeneity

This study is for men with advanced prostate cancer that has spread and is no longer responding to standard hormone therapy. Current scans often show overall changes, but this study uses special PET scans to look at individual cancer spots (metastases) in more detail. We want to see how each cancer spot reacts to treatment – whether it shrinks, stays the same, or grows. By taking several scans over time and looking at the cancer's genes, researchers hope to understand why some cancer spots become resistant to treatment while others respond well. This information could help doctors choose more effective treatments for each patient in the future and better understand how advanced prostate cancer behaves.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Frederic Pouliot

Enrolment target

Start

04 Nov 2025

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2030

mCRPC (Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer)

What is this study about?

When prostate cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it’s called metastatic prostate cancer. Sometimes, standard hormone treatments stop working, and this is known as castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Current ways of checking the cancer, like regular bone scans or CT scans, are good at showing changes in bones or the size of growths. However, they don't give a detailed picture of how active the cancer cells are in each individual spot. This study uses a more advanced type of scan called a PET scan, which uses special liquids called 'tracers' to highlight how active the cancer cells are in different parts of your body.

The main idea behind this study is that not all cancer spots in one person behave the same way. Some might respond well to a particular treatment, while others might keep growing. This is like having several different little 'cancers' within you, each with its own way of reacting to medicine. By using PET scans at different times – before treatment, after three months, and if the cancer starts to grow again – the researchers can measure the activity of each individual cancer spot. They will see if it's getting better, staying the same, or getting worse.

Ultimately, the study aims to understand why some cancer spots become resistant to treatment. They will also look at the genes within the cancer cells to see if there are patterns linked to why some spots respond to treatment and others don't. This detailed information could help doctors in the future make more personalised treatment plans, choosing medicines that are more likely to work for specific types of cancer spots, rather than just treating the whole body generally.

Key takeaways

This study uses advanced PET scans to look closely at individual cancer spots.
It aims to understand why some prostate cancer spots respond to treatment and others don't.
Participation involves multiple scans over time and possibly a biopsy.
The goal is to find better, more personalised treatments for advanced prostate cancer in the future.
You would continue with your standard prostate cancer treatment while in the study.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic prostate cancer). Crucially, their cancer must also be considered 'castration-resistant', meaning it's still growing despite standard hormone treatments, including a specific type of drug called an ARPI.

To join, you need to be at least 18 years old. Scans must show you have at least three separate spots where the cancer has spread. You should also be well enough to receive certain chemotherapy treatments (like cabazitaxel or docetaxel) or a special type of PSMA-targeted therapy, which doctors will discuss with you. Before joining, you'll need to give your permission by signing an informed consent form.

You cannot take part if you've had another type of cancer (other than some skin cancers) diagnosed in the last five years, or if you're currently in another research study where you don't know which treatment you're getting. Also, if the study doctors believe that other health conditions would make it unsafe or difficult for you to complete all the study procedures, you wouldn't be able to join.

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.

Are you a man aged 18 or older?
Do you have prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of your body?
Is your prostate cancer still growing despite hormone therapy and an ARPI drug?
Do your recent scans show at least three separate spots where the cancer has spread?
Are you able to receive certain chemotherapy or PSMA-targeted treatments?
Have you had no other serious cancers (besides certain skin cancers) in the last 5 years?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to join this study, you will have several appointments involving special scans and possibly extra tissue samples (biopsies). Initially, you'll have three different types of PET scans (called 18F-FDG, 68Ga-PSMA, and 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT scans) to get a baseline picture of your cancer.

After these first scans, you'll start a standard treatment for your prostate cancer, such as certain chemotherapy drugs or a PSMA-targeted therapy, as decided by your doctors. About three months after starting this treatment, you'll have two more PET scans (PSMA and FDG PET/CT) to see how the cancer is responding. You'll continue your treatment, and if your doctor finds that your cancer starts to grow again, you'll have the three PET scans repeated.

At this point, if your cancer has progressed, you may also be asked to have a biopsy, where a small tissue sample will be taken from one of your cancer spots. This sample will help researchers understand the cancer's genes. The study involves multiple scans over time, following your treatment journey. The total duration of your participation will depend on how your cancer responds to treatment and how long you are on study-related assessments.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer a potential benefit by giving you access to advanced imaging techniques that provide a very detailed look at your specific cancer, which could help your doctors understand its behaviour better. However, it's important to remember that this study is primarily for research, aiming to learn more about prostate cancer, and may not directly improve your personal health or provide a cure. The main risks involve the procedures themselves, such as receiving small amounts of radioactive tracers for PET scans, which carries a very small radiation exposure, similar to other medical scans. If a biopsy is performed, there are standard risks associated with that procedure, such as pain, bleeding, or infection. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your standard medical care.

Locations (1)

CHU de Québec-Université Laval
Verified postcode
Québec, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'castration-resistant prostate cancer'?

This means your prostate cancer is still growing even though your body's testosterone levels are very low due to hormone treatment.

What is a PET scan?

A PET scan is a special imaging test that uses a small amount of a radioactive substance (called a tracer) to show how active your cancer cells are in different parts of your body. It helps doctors see how your cancer is behaving.

Why do I need so many scans?

The repeated scans help researchers track how individual cancer spots react to treatment over time. This helps them understand why some spots respond and others don't.

Will taking part in this study change my treatment?

Your treatment will be chosen by your doctor based on standard care. This study mainly involves extra scans and sometimes biopsies to gather more information, rather than changing the treatment itself.

What is a 'biopsy'?

A biopsy is a medical procedure where a small sample of tissue is taken from your body to be examined under a microscope. In this study, it helps researchers look at the genes within your cancer cells.

How to find out more

Marie-Christine Dubé, PhD

marie-christine.dube@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca 418-525-4444 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.