SBRT Boost for Unfavorable Prostate Cancer'

This study is designed to evaluate whether delivering a stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) boost-a short course of five high-dose, precisely targeted radiation treatments-can safely and effectively replace the traditional invasive high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy boost for men with unfavorable, high-risk, or very high-risk localized prostate cancer. The SBRT boost uses imaging-guided systems and gold fiducial markers to track prostate motion in real time, allowing submillimeter accuracy without placing needles inside the prostate. Treatment planning incorporates CT/MRI fusion, careful mapping of the urethra, and strict dose-volume limits for nearby organs such as the rectum and bladder to ensure the boost achieves HDR-equivalent tumor dosing while minimizing toxicity. All patients also receive standard external beam radiation therapy to the pelvis, and the combined course is designed based on biological dose modeling and prior HDR clinical experience to optimize tumor control while maintaining acceptable side-effect rates.

The protocol also includes structured follow-up and ongoing safety monitoring to track side effects, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response, and quality-of-life outcomes. Patients are assessed at regular intervals-from two weeks post-treatment through five years-with physical exams, PSA testing, toxicity evaluations, and validated questionnaires measuring urinary and sexual function. Imaging such as prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT or bone scans is performed if biochemical failure or symptoms suggest disease progression. The study's primary goals are to determine the rate of significant gastrointestinal and genitourinary side effects and to measure biochemical disease-free survival at five years, while secondary goals include evaluating local and distant tumor control and longer-term survival outcomes. Stopping rules, adverse-event reporting procedures, and quality-assurance requirements are built into the protocol to ensure patient safety and regulatory compliance throughout the study.

Inclusion

• Histologically proven prostate adenocarcinoma
• Biopsy within 12 months of date of registration required except for patients who already meet criteria for enrollment in the high risk arm of the protocol. For these patients, repeat biopsy will be at the discretion of the treating physician. In general, repeat biopsy is recommended for these patients, but is not required if it will not affect the treating physician's management decisions in regards to the care of the patient.
• Clinical Stage I-IV, MX-M0 (AJCC VERSION 9)
• M-stage determined by physical exam, CT, MRI, bone scan, PSMA PET/CT, or biopsy.
• Prostate volume: ≤ 100 cc (recommended not required)
• Determined using: volume = π/6 x length x height x width
• Measurement from CT, MRI or ultrasound ≤ 90 days prior to registration.
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-1
• No prior prostatectomy or cryotherapy of the prostate
• No prior radiotherapy to the prostate or lower pelvis
• No implanted hardware or other material that would prohibit appropriate treatment planning or treatment delivery, in the investigator's opinion.
• Completion of patient questionnaires in section 3.7.
• Consent signed

Exclusion

• No prior prostatectomy or cryotherapy of the prostate
• No prior radiotherapy to the prostate or lower pelvis
• No implanted hardware or other material that would prohibit appropriate treatment planning or treatment delivery, in the investigator's opinion.