NCT07650240 · Mayo Clinic
Study of PSMA-targeted Therapy and Androgen Receptor Suppression in Low-volume Metastatic ProstatE Cancer: SPARKLE Trial
(SPARKLE)
What this study is about
This phase II trial tests leuprolide acetate alone versus in combination with 177Lu-PSMA-617, with or without abiraterone acetate and prednisone, for the treatment of hormone-sensitive prostate cancer has spread to a limited number of anatomic sites at the time of initial diagnosis (de novo low volume metastasis) or that has come back after a period of improvement (recurrent).
View original scientific description
This phase II trial tests leuprolide acetate alone versus in combination with 177Lu-PSMA-617, with or without abiraterone acetate and prednisone, for the treatment of hormone-sensitive prostate cancer has spread to a limited number of anatomic sites at the time of initial diagnosis (de novo low volume metastasis) or that has come back after a period of improvement (recurrent). Standard of care treatment for prostate cancer usually includes androgen deprivation therapy, with or without abiraterone acetate and prednisone. Leuprolide acetate is a form of androgen deprivation therapy. It blocks the body from making testosterone (a male hormone) and estradiol (a female hormone). It may stop the growth of prostate cancer cells that need testosterone to grow. 177Lu-PSMA-617 is a type of radioconjugate drug. Upon administration, vipivotide tetraxetan targets and binds to prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-expressing tumor cells. Upon binding, PSMA-expressing tumor cells are destroyed by 177Lu through the specific delivery of radiation. PSMA, a tumor-associated antigen and type II transmembrane protein, is overexpressed on prostate tumor cells. Abiraterone acetate is a type of anti-androgen drug. It blocks tissues from making androgens (male hormones), such as testosterone. This may cause the death of cancer cells that need androgens to grow. Prednisone is in a class of medications called corticosteroids. It is used to reduce inflammation and lower the body's immune response to help lessen the side effects of chemotherapy drugs. Giving 177Lu-PSMA-617 in combination with leuprolide acetate, with or without abiraterone acetate and prednisone, may be more effective at treating patients with recurrent or de novo low volume metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer than giving leuprolide acetate alone.
Interventions
DRUG
Abiraterone Acetate
Given PO
PROCEDURE
Biospecimen Collection
Undergo collection of blood samples
DRUG
Leuprolide Acetate
Given SC
DRUG
Lutetium Lu 177 Vipivotide Tetraxetan
Given IV
DRUG
Prednisone
Given PO
PROCEDURE
PSMA PET-CT Scan
Undergo PSMA PET/CT
OTHER
Quality-of-Life Assessment
Ancillary studies
PROCEDURE
Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography
Undergo SPECT
Primary outcome measures
Radiographic progression free survival (rPFS)
Time frame: At 18 months
Will be evaluated according to prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET) progression (PPP) criteria. Defined as the time from enrollment to documented radiographic progression or death from any cause, whichever occurs first.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Male patients aged 18 years or older
- Signed informed consent must be obtained prior to participation in the study
- Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate
- Prior treatment with radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy for localized disease is required
- Prior treatment with ADT or androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI) or cytotoxic chemotherapy is permitted if:
- The last treatment \> 12 months from enrollment on the trial
- The duration of treatment is less than 3 months and no evidence of disease progression on treatment
- Disease detected on PSMA PET/CT scan \[PSMA-avid low volume metastasis (LVM)\]. Patients with standardized uptake value maximum (SUVMax) lesion/liver \>1 \[molecular imaging PSMA (miPSMA) score of 2\] or lesion/parotid \> 1 (miPSMA score of 3) would be included. PET scanners used in the study will comply with current guidelines established by the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) Research Limited (Ltd) (EARL) for harmonizing PET/CT image acquisition and reconstruction
- Patients with hormone sensitive low volume metastatic disease (LVM); either de novo metastatic or recurrent disease. LVM, as assessed on PSMA PET/CT is defined as:
- =\< 10 total metastatic spots
- Lymph nodes with short axis of =\< 2.5 cm
- Total tumor volume (TTV) \< 200 mL
- =\< 4 bone metastases
- No brain or liver metastases
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance 0 - 2
- Hemoglobin \>= 9 g/dL
- Platelet count \>= 100,000/mm\^3
- Absolute neutrophil count \>= 1,500/mm\^3
- Serum bilirubin =\< 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN)
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/aspartate aminotransferase (AST) =\< 2.5 x ULN
- Serum creatinine =\< 1.5 x ULN or an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \>= 50 mL/min/1.73m\^2
- Able to start therapy within 28 days of screening
- Expected life expectancy \> 6 months
Exclusion criteria
- PSMA-undetectable disease defined as rising prostate specific antigen (PSA) with absence of PSMA-positive lesions in PSMA PET/CT imaging
- PSMA-negative disease defined as lesions detected on imaging that are deemed concerning for active cancer metastasis with PSMA SUVmax less than liver and meeting specific size criteria: lymph nodes with short axis of \>= 2.5 cm, visceral lesions with a solid appearance (soft tissue density) \>= 1 cm, and bone metastases with a measurable soft tissue component \>= 1 cm
- Patient with in-field failure (disease recurrence in prostate bed after primary definitive prostatectomy or radiotherapy)
- Patient with spinal metastatic disease-causing cord compression
- Patient with prior disease progression on ADT \[castration resistance prostate cancer (CRPC)\]
- Prior treatment with ADT or cytotoxic chemotherapy or ARPI within less than 12 months from enrollment on the trial
- Prior treatment with ADT or ARPI or cytotoxic chemotherapy is permitted only if more than 3 months treatment duration and no evidence of disease progression on treatment
- Patients with severe \[Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) grade \> 2\] xerostomia
- Patients with well documented history of myelosuppression or renal disease that might impair their participation in the trial per medical advice
- Diagnosed with other malignancies that are expected to alter life expectancy or may interfere with disease assessment. However, participants with a prior history of malignancy that has been adequately treated non-melanoma skin cancer, superficial bladder cancer are eligible
- Estimated life expectancy \< 6 months
- Concurrent serious medical co-morbidities as determined by study investigator and expected to impair participation in the study
- Subjects with female partners of reproductive potential are required to use effective, medically acceptable methods of birth control (e.g., spermicide in conjunction with a barrier such as a condom or sexual abstinence) while on this study, and for 14 weeks after the last dose of 177Lu-PSMA-617
Where
- Rochester, Minnesota
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Sep 18, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations