A Trial Evaluating Toxicity of SBRT and LDRB in Localized Prostate Cancer.

Low-dose rate brachytherapy (LDRB) using Iodine-125 seed implant is known to be an effective definitive treatment for patients with low and favourable intermediate-risk prostate cancer. Mature data from Canadian institutions reported a biochemical progression-free survival as high as 90-95% at 5-10 years for patients with low and intermediate risk disease.

Prostate Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) as a single modality is a promising alternative to LDRB in low and favourable intermediate-risk prostate cancer. Some studies have shown the feasibility and efficacy of SBRT with low to intermediate risk-prostate cancer with 5-7 years PSA-progression-free survival really high (89,8% to 97,1% at a median follow-up of 5-7 years) [PSA: Prostate-Specific Antigen]. No randomized trial has yet compared LDRB to SBRT head to head.

Acute urinary toxicity is not trivial: a few studies have shown correlation between late urinary toxicity and the presence of acute urinary toxicity in patients treated with LDRB. Our research hypothesis is that SBRT for low and intermediate risk will result in fewer toxicities at the genito-urinary and the gastro-intestinal levels after 3 months of treatment.

Inclusion criteria

• Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate diagnosed within the last 8 months. Patients on active surveillance with evidence of disease progression are eligible to the protocol as long as they meet the eligibility criteria and have a recent prostate biopsy (within 8 months).
• Low-risk and favourable intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients are eligible according to the following definitions:

Low-risk disease defined as: Clinical stage T1-T2a and Gleason 6 and PSA ≤ 10 ng/mL

Favourable intermediate-risk cancer defined by a single NCCN intermediate risk factor:

[NCCN : National Comprehensive Cancer Network]

• Clinical stage T2b
• PSA > 10 but ≤ 20 ng/mL
• Gleason 7 (3+4)

Lymph node evaluation by either computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is optional and is left at the discretion of the treating physician.

• Age ≥ 18 years
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-1
• Patient considered medically fit for LDR brachytherapy
• Prostate volume ≤ 60 cc, measured by Trans-Rectal UltraSound (TRUS), CT or MRI, within the last 6 months.
• International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) ≤ 20 (alpha blockers allowed)
• No alpha reductase inhibitors use within two weeks of randomization
• No hormonal therapy is accepted
• Patients must provide a study-specified informed consent form prior to study entry.
• Patients must be willing and able to complete the EPIC-26, IPSS and SHIM questionnaires.

[EPIC-26: Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite score ; SHIM: Sexual Health Inventory for Men questionnaire].

Exclusion criteria

• Clinical or radiological evidence of metastatic disease or nodal involvement.
• Clinical stage ≥ T2b.
• Gleason score ≥ 4 + 3.
• Patients with a history of other malignancies, except: adequately treated non-melanoma skin cancer, or other solid tumors curatively treated with no evidence of disease for ≥ 3 years.
• Prior radical surgery for carcinoma of the prostate, or prior TURP (Trans-Urethral Resection of the Prostate).
• Prior pelvic radiotherapy or prior radiotherapy that would result in overlap of radiation fields.
• Prior chemotherapy for prostate cancer, or prior chemotherapy within the last 3 years.
• Prior cryosurgery of the prostate.
• Prior or current bleeding diathesis making fiducial placement or brachytherapy procedure unsafe.
• Previous androgen deprivation therapy within 6 months of the registration.
• Bilateral hip prostheses
• Any severe active comorbidity, laboratory abnormality, psychiatric illnesses, active or uncontrolled infections, serious illnesses or medical conditions that would prevent the patient from participating or to be managed according to the protocol (according to investigator's decision). Such examples includes active inflammatory bowel disease, significant urinary symptoms,