Rapperswil Jona

Researchers are evaluating the use of oral Terbinafine for patients with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer after prior local treatments aimed at cure. This phase II drug-repurposing study focuses on patients whose local salvage treatments have been exhausted and who have no visible metastases on imaging but show signs of biochemical recurrence. Standard treatments like androgen deprivation therapy or androgen-receptor pathway inhibitors can manage the disease but often cause significant side effects and reduce quality of life. Terbinafine, a long-used antifungal drug, inhibits an enzyme called squalene epoxidase (SQLE), which may contribute to prostate cancer progression according to preclinical and limited clinical data. Participants will receive Terbinafine orally as part of this study. The trial aims to assess the drug's activity and explore effective dosing and safety in this setting. Terbinafine's established use as an antifungal with a favorable side-effect profile supports its investigation. The study period includes treatment initiation and monitoring up to at least 12 weeks after starting therapy to evaluate disease progression. During the study, researchers will monitor participants' prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels to measure progression-free rates from treatment start until 12 weeks later. Patients will undergo assessments including PSA testing and imaging to confirm eligibility and monitor disease status. The study also observes safety and potential side effects of Terbinafine. Total participation time covers initial screening, treatment, and follow-up assessments to gather comprehensive data on drug activity in biochemically recurrent prostate cancer.