Campbeltown

Researchers are evaluating two types of stereotactic body radiotherapy SBRT in men with high risk localized prostate cancer, where the cancer is confined to the prostate but may grow quickly or spread. The study aims to compare the safety and effectiveness of delivering radiotherapy to the prostate alone versus the prostate plus surrounding lymph nodes, with both treatments given in only 5 sessions. This phase III trial is designed to see if including lymph nodes reduces the chance of cancer returning and to review any side effects that occur. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive SBRT targeting the prostate and seminal vesicles, delivering 36.25Gy in 5 fractions on alternate days with 40Gy to the prostate clinical target volume. The other group will get the same prostate treatment plus 25Gy in 5 fractions to the pelvic lymph nodes on alternate days. Treatments will be provided over approximately two weeks at experienced NHS radiotherapy centers that meet quality standards for these therapies. During the study, participants will be monitored for at least three and a half years to assess time to biochemical or clinical failure, which is the main outcome. Researchers will also track acute and late side effects, cancer relapse, survival rates, patient-reported outcomes, and adherence to treatment protocols for up to five years post-randomization. Regular imaging and assessments will be performed before treatment to confirm eligibility and exclude metastatic disease. Overall, participants can expect close monitoring and follow-up throughout and after their treatment period.

Researchers are conducting a randomized phase III clinical trial to evaluate treatments for patients with unilateral malignant pleural mesothelioma MPM. The study aims to compare progression-free survival and overall survival between two groups. It also assesses safety, tolerability, quality of life, and local disease control. Patients are grouped based on tumor histology, treatment center, tumor location, and time since diagnosis. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. The experimental group receives proton beam therapy PBT to the hemithorax 50 Gy in 25 daily fractions over five weeks, with a boost to 60 Gy for visible tumors. The control group follows standard care with active surveillance and no immediate treatment. Both groups are monitored for two years after randomization, with clinic visits every three months in the first year and every four months in the second year. If disease progresses in the control group, patients may receive immunotherapy or chemotherapy based on doctor recommendation. During the study, patients undergo evaluations including scans, pulmonary function tests, and quality of life questionnaires. Researchers track adverse events related to proton therapy and collect data on healthcare resource use and informal care. Follow-up occurs at local centers for two years after treatment start. The main outcomes measured are time to disease progression and overall survival, assessing the potential benefits and risks of proton beam therapy for MPM.