177Lu-PSMA-617 vs. Androgen Receptor-Directed Therapy in the Treatment of Progressive Metastatic Castrate Resistant Prostate Cancer

To be considered for this study, you would typically need to be an adult male, at least 18 years old, and have prostate cancer that has been confirmed by a doctor.

Your prostate cancer must have spread to other parts of your body and needs to have stopped responding to your current hormone therapy. You would also need to have only tried one type of advanced hormone therapy (like abiraterone or enzalutamide) before. Importantly, you shouldn't have received certain strong chemotherapy treatments for your advanced prostate cancer. Your general health should be good enough to participate, as assessed by the research team.

Before formally joining, you would have a special scan to check if your cancer cells show a particular marker called PSMA, which is necessary for the new treatment to work. Only those with enough of this marker will be able to join the study.

If you join this study, the first step is a 'screening period'. During this time, you'll have tests, including a special scan called a 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT, to confirm your cancer has the right markers and that you meet all other health requirements. If you are eligible, you'll then be randomly assigned to one of two groups, like flipping a coin. You'll either receive the new treatment, 177Lu-PSMA-617, or a different standard hormone therapy (either abiraterone or enzalutamide).

The treatments will be given over a period of time, and you'll have regular check-ups and tests. This will allow the doctors to see how well the treatment is working and monitor for any side effects. The study is planned to last for about 43 months, which is just over three and a half years. During this time, researchers will closely track your cancer progression and overall health, using scans and other medical assessments. You will also be allowed to receive other supportive care as needed.