43 Prostate Cancer Trials Are Now Open at UCSD—Here's What Men Need to Know

UCSD is actively recruiting men for 43 prostate cancer clinical trials, with 21 currently open to eligible participants. These trials span early detection, intermediate-risk disease, and advanced metastatic prostate cancer—offering men access to experimental treatments that may not yet be available elsewhere. If you've been diagnosed with prostate cancer or are at high risk, understanding what these trials involve could open doors to personalized care options.

What Types of Prostate Cancer Trials Are Available?

The trials at UCSD cover the full spectrum of prostate cancer, from prevention and early detection to treating advanced disease that has spread to other parts of the body. Here's what researchers are currently testing:

• Early Detection and Imaging: The IMAGINED trial uses advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) software and techniques to improve early prostate cancer detection during MRI-guided biopsies, potentially catching cancer before it progresses.
• Intermediate and High-Risk Disease: Image-guided, tumor-focused radiotherapy is being compared to standard whole-prostate radiation treatment in a Phase II trial. This approach aims to reduce radiation exposure to nearby organs like the bladder and rectum while maintaining cancer control.
• Advanced Metastatic Disease: Multiple trials target castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC)—cancer that continues growing even after hormone therapy. These include studies of combination drug therapies, radioactive antibodies, and immunotherapy approaches.
• Genetic-Based Treatment: A neoadjuvant trial uses PARP inhibitors (olaparib) combined with hormone therapy in men with specific genetic mutations before surgery, potentially improving outcomes for high-risk patients.

Which Trials Are Open to Eligible Men Right Now?

Of the 43 trials at UCSD, 21 are currently accepting eligible participants. Most require men to be 18 years or older, though specific eligibility depends on the trial's focus. For example, some trials target men with newly diagnosed metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC), while others recruit men whose cancer has already progressed despite standard treatments.

Key trials currently enrolling include JSB462 (luxdegalutamide) combined with abiraterone for metastatic hormone-sensitive disease, ARX517 as monotherapy or combination therapy for metastatic prostate cancer, and ACE-232 for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Each trial has different entry requirements based on prior treatments, cancer stage, and genetic markers.

Why Should Men Consider Joining a Clinical Trial?

Clinical trials offer several potential advantages. First, participants gain access to experimental treatments years before they might become widely available. Second, trials provide close medical monitoring and frequent check-ins with specialists, which can catch side effects or complications early. Third, men contribute to advancing prostate cancer research—helping future generations of patients.

However, trials also involve risks. Experimental drugs may have unknown side effects, and there's no guarantee a new treatment will work better than standard care. Some trials require frequent visits to San Diego or other locations, which may not be feasible for everyone. Before enrolling, men should discuss the potential benefits and risks with their urologist or oncologist.

What Cutting-Edge Approaches Are Being Tested?

Several trials employ innovative strategies that represent the frontier of prostate cancer treatment. PSMA-directed radioantibody therapy (rosopatamab tetraxetan) uses radioactive particles to target cancer cells that express a specific protein marker, potentially delivering radiation directly to tumors while sparing healthy tissue. Combination immunotherapy trials pair cabozantinib with nivolumab to harness the immune system against advanced cancer. Sequential hormone and enzyme inhibitor therapy explores whether alternating treatments can overcome resistance to standard drugs.

For men with metastatic disease, trials also investigate whether adding surgery or radiation to standard systemic therapy improves survival—a question that could reshape how doctors treat advanced prostate cancer.

How Do You Learn More or Enroll?

Men interested in UCSD prostate cancer trials can visit the UCSD Clinical Trials website to search by location, age, and disease stage. Trials are available in La Jolla, California, and other locations. Before enrolling, discuss trial participation with your primary care doctor or urologist, who can help determine which trials match your diagnosis and medical history. Ask about the trial's phase (Phase 1 focuses on safety; Phase 2 on efficacy; Phase 3 on comparison to standard care), the expected time commitment, and what happens if you need to withdraw.

Prostate cancer remains one of the most common cancers in men, and access to cutting-edge trials represents a meaningful opportunity to potentially improve outcomes while advancing the field. If you've been diagnosed or are at elevated risk, exploring whether you qualify for a trial could be an important conversation to have with your healthcare team.