Randomized Phase 2 Trial of an Extended and Flexible Dosing Schedule of <sup>177</sup>Lu-PSMA Molecular Radiotherapy in Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (FLEX-MRT): Study Protocol

[<sup>177</sup>Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 radiopharmaceutical therapy has been approved for the treatment of men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) using a fixed dosing schedule of once every 6 wk for up to a total of 6 doses. We hypothesized that patients may benefit from a flexible and extended dosing schedule, up to 12 doses with potential "treatment holiday" periods. <b>Objective:</b> The objective of this study is to determine the 2-y survival rate of patients with mCRPC treated with an extended and flexible dosing schedule of [<sup>177</sup>Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 therapy in comparison to patients treated with the standard fixed dosing schedule of a maximum of 6 treatment cycles once every 6 wk. <b>Study Design:</b> The FLEX-MRT trial is an investigator-initiated prospective phase 2, parallel group, randomized, controlled, open-label, single-center trial in men with mCRPC to determine the efficacy of a flexible and extended dosing schedule of [<sup>177</sup>Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 therapy. Key inclusion criteria are patients eligible for Pluvicto (i.e., prior androgen receptor signaling inhibitors, prior chemotherapy, PSMA PET VISION criteria). Key exclusion criteria are prior [<sup>177</sup>Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 therapy and less than 6 wk since last myelosuppressive therapy. The trial aims to centrally randomize 90 patients in a 1:1 ratio to 2 treatment arms. In the control arm, patients will be treated with the approved standard dosing schedule (<i>n</i> = 45). In the investigational arm, patients will be treated with up to 12 cycles and with potential treatment holidays depending on response (<i>n</i> = 45). Response assessment is based on SPECT/CT at each cycle and on PSMA PET/CT during treatment holiday periods (every 12 wk). Primary endpoint is the 2-y survival rate. Survival is calculated from the date of the first cycle of [<sup>177</sup>Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 therapy. Secondary endpoints include safety by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events and dosimetry and determination of overall and progression-free survival (evidence of progression as defined by radiographic, prostate-specific antigen level, or clinical progression, or death from any cause).

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Nuclear Medicine
Published
2025-08-28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.2967/jnumed.125.269495
Citations
3
Primary Topic
Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
4.56
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Randomized Phase 2 Trial of an Extended and Flexible Dosing Schedule of 177Lu-PSMA Molecular Radiotherapy in Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (FLEX-MRT): Study Protocol

David Elashoff, Lena M. Unterrainer, Zachary Ells, Julia Brosch-Lenz et al.
3 citations
Journal of Nuclear Medicine
Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research
4.56
article

Randomized Phase 2 Trial of an Extended and Flexible Dosing Schedule of 177Lu-PSMA Molecular Radiotherapy in Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (FLEX-MRT): Study Protocol

David Elashoff, Lena M. Unterrainer, Zachary Ells, Julia Brosch-Lenz, John Nikitas, Jérémie Calais, Johannes Czernin, Hamzah Alam, Catherine Meyer, Adrien Holzgreve, Arseniy Vasilyev, Lillian Chen, Magnus Dahlbom, Stephanie Lira, Tristan Grogan, Shaojun Zhu, Astrid Delker, María Elena Muñoz Contreras, R. Nabong
article en
3 citations

Abstract

[<sup>177</sup>Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 radiopharmaceutical therapy has been approved for the treatment of men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) using a fixed dosing schedule of once every 6 wk for up to a total of 6 doses. We hypothesized that patients may benefit from a flexible and extended dosing schedule, up to 12 doses with potential "treatment holiday" periods. <b>Objective:</b> The objective of this study is to determine the 2-y survival rate of patients with mCRPC treated with an extended and flexible dosing schedule of [<sup>177</sup>Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 therapy in comparison to patients treated with the standard fixed dosing schedule of a maximum of 6 treatment cycles once every 6 wk. <b>Study Design:</b> The FLEX-MRT trial is an investigator-initiated prospective phase 2, parallel group, randomized, controlled, open-label, single-center trial in men with mCRPC to determine the efficacy of a flexible and extended dosing schedule of [<sup>177</sup>Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 therapy. Key inclusion criteria are patients eligible for Pluvicto (i.e., prior androgen receptor signaling inhibitors, prior chemotherapy, PSMA PET VISION criteria). Key exclusion criteria are prior [<sup>177</sup>Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 therapy and less than 6 wk since last myelosuppressive therapy. The trial aims to centrally randomize 90 patients in a 1:1 ratio to 2 treatment arms. In the control arm, patients will be treated with the approved standard dosing schedule (<i>n</i> = 45). In the investigational arm, patients will be treated with up to 12 cycles and with potential treatment holidays depending on response (<i>n</i> = 45). Response assessment is based on SPECT/CT at each cycle and on PSMA PET/CT during treatment holiday periods (every 12 wk). Primary endpoint is the 2-y survival rate. Survival is calculated from the date of the first cycle of [<sup>177</sup>Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 therapy. Secondary endpoints include safety by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events and dosimetry and determination of overall and progression-free survival (evidence of progression as defined by radiographic, prostate-specific antigen level, or clinical progression, or death from any cause).

Journal of Nuclear MedicineVol. 66(10)
University of California, Los Angeles (US), UCLA Health (US), LMU Klinikum (DE), München Klinik (DE), National Institute of Mental Health (US), Huawei German Research Center (DE), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (DE)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 5%
Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research
4.56
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.