Recruiting

Targeted radiation seeds guided by advanced imaging for early prostate cancer

Plain-English translation of NCT03861676 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated February 2026 · Translation generated August 2026 · How we translate trials

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Phase 1 — Testing in a small group (usually 20–80 people) to find a safe dose and watch for side effects.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing a new treatment approach for men with early-stage prostate cancer called focal brachytherapy. Rather than treating the entire prostate gland, doctors use advanced imaging with a special PET scan (using 18F-DCFPyl) to pinpoint exactly where the cancer is, then implant tiny radioactive seeds directly into those specific areas. The goal is to destroy the cancer while reducing side effects that come from treating the whole gland.

Current treatments for prostate cancer often treat the entire gland, which can cause significant side effects like urinary and sexual problems. Researchers believe that focusing treatment only on the areas where cancer is actually present—rather than the whole gland—could be just as effective while causing far fewer complications.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma (a common type of prostate cancer)
your cancer is at an early stage (clinical stage T1c through T2a, with no signs of spread to lymph nodes or distant organs)
your cancer has a Gleason score of 6 or 7 (a measure of how aggressive the cancer appears)
your prostate gland is smaller than 60 cubic centimeters
you have mild to moderate urinary symptoms (an IPSS score of 20 or less)
you are able to undergo the special PET imaging scan as part of your treatment planning

You likely don't qualify if…

you have previously received radiation therapy to your pelvis
you have serious medical or psychiatric conditions that would prevent you from completing treatment
you have implanted devices (like pacemakers) that would interfere with imaging or the radiation seeds
you have metallic implants or cannot safely undergo MRI scans
you have been diagnosed with another cancer in the past 3 years

What participation looks like

You would first have the special PET imaging scan to help your doctors see exactly where the cancer is located in your prostate. Then, using ultrasound and fluoroscopy (real-time X-ray imaging) to guide them precisely, doctors would implant radioactive seeds directly into the areas of cancer. The treatment is performed as a procedure, likely under anesthesia or with sedation. You would then have follow-up appointments to monitor how well the treatment is working and check for any side effects.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Aug 5, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

United States

SKCCC at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland