The trial, called ASCENDE-SBRT, aims to see about 710 participants who were randomized to receive five SABR sessions or 23 sessions of whole-pelvis radiation and a brachytherapy boost. SABR involves higher dose treatments per day, delivered with precise precision to target tumors. Brachytherapy is a form of targeted radiation that sees a tiny radioactive seed temporarily placed inside the prostate. Five SABR regimens are now the standard of care for patients with favorable prostate risk who are not suitable for active surveillance. This new trial will examine the benefits to patients and the healthcare system of using this treatment cycle for patients with higher-risk prostate cancer. Dr. Andrew Loblaw, a radiation oncologist and scientist at Sunnybrook, will lead the work along with Drs. Wendy Parulekar and Keyue Ding of the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG). “This could mean fewer hospital visits, less travel, less parking, less disruption to employment and other aspects of life,” Dr. Lomblau said. “We suspect it could save the health care system more than $30 million annually while increasing treatment capacity and reducing wait times.” Previous Sunnybrook research on favorable-risk patients also found that men undergoing five SABR treatments had better sexual and bladder function after treatment compared with brachytherapy, he added. The trial will determine whether this also applies to adverse-risk patients. This trial has received a $4.5 million grant from the CIHR and will be conducted by the CCTG at centers across Canada.
