HSV-tk + Valacyclovir Therapy in Combination With Brachytherapy for Recurrent Prostate Cancer

Phase I-II Study HSV-tk + Valacyclovir Therapy in Combination With Brachytherapy for Recurrent Prostate Cancer With or Without Metastatic Disease

About This Trial

  • This clinical trial is testing a combination of an experimental gene therapy, an antiviral pill, and internal radiation to treat prostate cancer that has returned.
  • It is designed for men whose cancer has come back locally in the prostate after prior radiation and hormone therapy, but has not spread to other parts of the body.
  • During the study, doctors place radiation directly into the prostate alongside a specialized gene injection and an antiviral medicine.
  • Before considering this trial, patients should know they must be in generally good overall health, have a prostate below a certain size, and have no allergies to antiviral medications.

More Information

  • The purpose of this study is to conduct a Phase I - II clinical trial to extend preclinical studies involving in situ HSV-tk + Valacyclovir gene therapy in combination with brachytherapy for recurrent prostate cancer.
  • This will provide a novel therapeutic approach to prostate cancer and hopefully impact on the development of metastatic disease and the control of preexisting metastasis.

Who Can Enroll

  • Gender: Male
  • Who This Trial is For: This clinical trial is testing a combination of an experimental gene therapy, an antiviral pill, and internal radiation to treat prostate cancer that has returned.

Study Details

  • Start Date: June 2007
  • Lead Sponsor: The Methodist Hospital Research Institute
Full Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • biopsy-proven local recurrence of prostate cancer without metastatic disease after the hormone therapy at least 2 year after the completion of definitive radiation therapy
  • Zubrod performance status 0-1
  • WBC ≥ 4,000/μl, platelets ≥ 100,000/μl
  • hemoglobin ≥ 8.5 mg/dl
  • normal partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time
  • bilirubin < 1.5 mg/dl, and AST and alanine aminotransferase 10ng/ml within the past 3 months may enter study

Exclusion Criteria

  • Symptomatic metastasis disease
  • Patients with a life expectancy < 10 years
  • Patients on corticosteroids or any immunosuppressive drugs.
  • HIV + patients
  • Patients with acute infections (viral, bacterial, or fungal infections requiring therapy)
  • Patients with cirrhosis.
  • Patients with collagen vascular diseases
  • International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) greater than 15
  • Prostate volume greater than 50 cc
  • Second active cancer except cutaneous cancer
  • Patients with history of allergies to valacyclovir, acyclovier or who cannot take oral pills

Treatments

  • Drug: HSV-tk +Valacyclovir in Combination with Brachytherapy
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