Phase II Trial of PSA Response-based Androgen Deprivation Therapy and Nodal Coverage for Prostate Cancer Early Salvage Radiotherapy (RANGER)

After radical prostatectomy, many men experience biochemical recurrence despite having no visible metastatic disease. Standard salvage radiotherapy is effective but often includes universal use of androgen deprivation therapy and pelvic nodal radiotherapy, which may expose many patients to unnecessary toxicity.

The study evaluates a response adapted strategy using hypo fractionated or ultra hypo fractionated prostate fossa radiotherapy delivered on the Ethos adaptive radiotherapy platform. All participants will undergo 5 fractions of prostate fossa radiotherapy. At 5 weeks from treatment initiation, biochemical response will be defined as PSA <0.05 ng/mL or a 0.2 ng/mL decrease from pre-treatment PSA. Responders will undergo observation. Non responders will receive sequential pelvic nodal stereotactic radiotherapy in 5 fractions and a 4 month course of ADT.

Primary objective is to determine whether PSAA response adapted escalation achieves non inferior 2 year freedom from progression compared with historical control data. Secondary outcomes include patient reported hormonal, urinary, and bowel symptoms (EPIC-26), as well as physician graded gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicities. Exploratory objectives include evaluating locoregional and distant failure.

This approach may reduce unnecessary toxicity for responders whole allowing early selective intensification for non responders, shortening total treatment duration for all patients.

Inclusion criteria

• Men aged ≥18 years with histologically confirmed prostate adenocarcinoma treated with prostatectomy in the localized setting within 10 years, with post-operative PSA (persistent or rising) of ≥0.05ng/mL.
• Radical prostatectomy ≥4 months prior to enrollment without nodal involvement (pN0 or pNx)
• Performance status ECOG 0-2
• No definite evidence of regional or distant metastatic disease by at least pelvic imaging within 90 days of registration. Equivocal findings are allowed at investigator discretion. Imaging is specified as follows:

• PSA>=0.2ng/mL: positron emission tomography (PET) with FDA-approved advanced imaging agent for prostate cancer (e.g. PSMA) required.
• PSA <0.2 n/gm: PET with above noted agents OR conventional CT or MRI at investigator discretion.
• All sexually active men must agree to use adequate contraception for the duration of study therapies and a period of 60 days thereafter. Should a female partner of a trial participant become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while the subject is participating in this study, the patient should inform his treating physician immediately.
• Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Prior androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) > 3 months OR anti-androgen therapy (AAT) of > 30 days. For shorter courses of either, at least 30 day "wash out" period is required with confirmation of resolved castration of testosterone to >50ng/mL.
• Ongoing testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) with refusal to discontinue (must be stopped with demonstration of detectable PSA ≥0.05ng/mL and non-castrate testosterone >50ng/mL after 14 days of TRT cessation)
• Prior pelvic radiotherapy
• Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that, in the opinion of the investigator, would limit compliance with study requirements.
• History of bladder neck or urethral stricture requiring procedural intervention.
• Patients with a prior or concurrent malignancy whose natural history or treatment has the potential to actively interfere with the safety or efficacy assessments of this study in the investigator's view.
• Active inflammatory bowel disease requiring recurring systemic or steroid/enema therapy