Preclinical ex Vivo Patient-derived 3D Cultures for the Prediction of Prostate Cancer Treatment Response

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating personalized treatment options for men with aggressive prostate cancer, including those with metastatic and recurrent forms. This study focuses on using patient-derived 3D mini-tumors grown from small samples of prostate cancer tissue to test different therapies. The aim is to determine which of two laboratory techniques for creating these mini-tumors is more effective at predicting individual responses to treatment, helping to tailor therapies for better outcomes. The study involves two groups of men: those undergoing high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy for high-risk or recurrent prostate cancer, and those with MRI-suspected metastatic prostate cancer undergoing diagnostic transperineal prostate biopsies guided by ultrasound. Tissue samples from these procedures will be used to grow 3D tumor cultures using either the organoid technique or tumor replica technology. These methods allow researchers to preserve tumor characteristics and test treatment responses outside the body. Participants will provide tissue samples during their scheduled clinical procedures, which will be used to create and study the mini-tumors. Researchers will assess the success rate of culturing these tumors, compare which technique works best for different prostate cancer subtypes, and evaluate genetic and phenotypic tumor features. Treatment responses will be monitored over five years. The primary measure is the success rate of growing mini-tumors within one year, with ongoing assessments to personalize future prostate cancer treatments.

Lab Research Using Mini-tumors to Study Prostate Cancer Treatments