Trials to Study Race and Prostate Cancer

Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Trial 92-02, which was recentlyreopened, is accruing about 50 patients a month, and will likelymeet its goal of accruing more African Americans within a fewmonths, Dr. Gerald Hanks, chairperson of the study, reports.

The study randomized patients with locally advanced prostate cancerto receive flutamide (Eulexin) and goserelin acetate (Zoladex)for 2 months before and then during radiation therapy. Half ofthe patients will continue receiving Zoladex for at least 2 yearsafter radiation therapy ends. Local-regional control, disease-freesurvival, and the effect of treatment on sexual function are beingevaluated.

RTOG 92-02 was reopened after a preliminary analysis of data onalready accrued patients found that African Americans seemed tohave higher pretreatment prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels."We want to determine if this remains the case when moreAfrican Americans are added to the study," said Dr. Hanks.Higher pretreatment PSA levels could indicated more aggressivedisease or a higher tumor stage, which, in turn, could requiremore aggressive treatment, he said.

The accrual goal is now 1,300 patients, with 150 of those beingAfrican Americans.

Race, Prostate Specific Antigen, and RTOG 94-12

Race and prostate specific antigen levels are also being studiedin the recently opened RTOG 94-12. The study is somewhat of adeparture from most RTOG studies, the group says, in that it isn'ta treatment or quality of life study. Instead, it is designedto specifically determine the relationship between PSA levelsof prostate cancer patients, race, and socioeconomic status.

Patients eligible for the study are those with histologicallyconfirmed nonmetastatic prostate cancer (stages T1 to T4). Patientsshould have had no previous prostate cancer surgery, radiationtherapy, hormonal manipulation, or chemotherapy.

PSA levels are taken before any treatment begins. Patients arealso asked to complete two questionnaires.

A total sample size of about 600 patients is expected.

For information on these or other RTOG protocols, please contactElaine Pakuris at 215-574-3195.