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Clinical Research

At the Prostate Cancer Center of Seattle, men are offered the latest protocols for treatment. These protocols involve assessing the current Prostate Brachytherapy treatment regimens for both results and quality of life. The protocols are designed to evaluate improving techniques with the most recent advances in prostate cancer therapy. PCCS has several ongoing treatment protocols that may be of interest to you.

We may recommend a trial for you to enroll in based on your diagnosis. These studies are reviewed and monitored by both national institutional review boards (IRB’s) to ensure your rights as a patient as well as the scientific merit of the trial. You, as a patient, will not be enrolled without consent. If you withdraw from the trial at any time this will not affect the quality of care you receive from the Prostate Cancer Center of Seattle. The following are descriptions of our current studies.

Assessment of Clinical Utility and Response to Thin Radioactive Permanent Seeds for Prostate Cancer: A Prospective Randomized Study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects (good and bad) of a treatment using a new, thinner gauge needle along with a new seed (a thinner version of a radioactive Iodine 125, or I-125, seed) in patients with prostate cancer.

This small radioactive seed attached to absorbable suture is called “ThinStrand” and is identical to the Rapid Strand product we have used for years, only thinner. This research is being done to see what advantages, if any, ThinStrand may have over the other commonly used, larger seeds, such as the original Iodine (I-125) and Palladium (Pd-103) seeds.

These potential advantages include lowering the rates of urinary obstructions requiring a catheter, decreasing post operative pain and bleeding and improving potency rates after prostate cancer treatment.

For more information, please email us at: info@prostatecancertreatmentcenter.com.

Dosimetric and Morbidity Outcomes of CS-131 Brachytherapy in Combination with External Beam Radiation Therapy in Subjects with Intermediate to High Risk Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate:
An Observational Study

The purpose of this study is to scientifically evaluate the effects (good and bad) of a new type of radioactive seed in patients with prostate cancer. The effects of placing this new type of radioactive seed called Cesium –131 (Proxcelan) will be recorded and analyzed.

In particular, the treatment under study involves a seed implant with Cs-131 in addition to a course (a shortened cycle) of external beam radiation. It is widely believed that, for patients with “intermediate to high risk” prostate cancer, the combination of seed implant and external beam radiation offers a better chance of success than either treatment alone.

This research is being done to see what advantages, if any, Cs-131 may have over the other commonly used seeds, such as Iodine (I-125) and Palladium (Pd-103). This study will evaluate whether or not the usage of Cs-131 results in an improved delivery of radiation to the prostate and possibly a different side effect profile as compared to these other seeds.

For more information, please email us at: info@prostatecancertreatmentcenter.com.

Pd-103 Dose De-Escalation for Early Stage Prostate Cancer in Low Risk Subjects:
A Prospective Randomized Study

The purpose of this research program is to develop improved methods of treatment in your disease. Although it is our hope that you will benefit directly from participation in this study and that other patients may also, the purpose of this study is to determine the most appropriate radiation implant dose for Palladium-103 monotherapy in low risk patients (Gleason ≤ 6, PSA ≤ 10, DRE < T2c). Radiation dose is related to potential cure. It is also related to side effects. From previously published studies, it appears that the prescribed radiation dose can be reduced by 15-20% without any difference in potential cure (in this study, the dose is being decreased by 12%). Although most patients tolerate brachytherapy well, complications do appear to be related to radiation exposure to normal structures (i.e. urethra, rectum and proximal penis). By reducing the prescribed dose, it is conceivable that even fewer patients will experience side effects and complications or that side effects that do occur are of lesser magnitude.

Without the benefit from an increased understanding of this approach to therapy, we cannot at present state that your participation will be directly beneficial to you.

Prior to implantation, you will be randomized to either 125 Gy or 110 Gy prescription dose.

A Pd-103 implant of your prostate gland will be performed by conventional methods which have already been described to you as part of routine care.

To compare the effectiveness of the Pd-103 implant, you will be closely monitored during and after the completion of your treatment. After your implant, repeat PSA blood tests will be obtained at 3 months and then every 6 months for 6 years. The total length of the study will be 6 years.

CLOSED FOR ACCRUAL. This study has been officially closed and is no longer available for enrollment.