A study looking at new ways to use MRI scans to see changes in prostate cancer (MISSION-Prostate)
Cancer type:
Status:
Phase:
This study is looking at 2 new ways of using an MRI scan to see changes in prostate cancer. It is open to men who have an intermediate risk or a high risk prostate cancer.
This study is being done at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. You can’t volunteer to join the study. You can only take part if you are having care at Addenbrookes. Your healthcare team can check if you are suitable for the study and refer you.
More about this trial
Doctors use MRI scans to diagnose prostate cancer. The MRI scan could be either a standard MRI scan or a multiparametric MRI scan (mpMRI scan). You might have a 
as part of the MRI scan. This gives a better picture of the prostate to make it easier to see changes.
Researchers are looking to see if they can increase the amount of information they get from the pictures of the MRI. In this study they are looking at 2 different ways of doing this. These involve:
- checking how your body processes lactate that is produced during the breakdown of sugar for energy. This is a carbon MRI scan.
- checking the distribution of naturally occurring salt in body tissue. This is a sodium MRI scan.
The research team think that these MRI scans might help doctors better diagnose any cancer in the prostate. But they are not sure, so they are doing this study to find out more.
As part of the study everyone has an MRI scan or mpMRI scan and the 2 MRI scans the team are looking at.
The main aims of this study are to find out if:
- these scans increase the amount of information on the pictures that the MRI scan produces
- they help doctors better diagnose prostate cancer
Please note neither you nor your doctor will know the results of the 2 new MRI scans. So you will not get any direct benefits from taking part in this study. But the information the researchers get could help people with prostate cancer in the future.
Who can enter
The following bullet points are a summary of the entry conditions for this study. Talk to your doctor or the study team if you are unsure about any of these. They will be able to advise you.
Who can take part
You may be able to join this study if all of the following apply. You:
- are male
- have had an MRI scan or an mpMRI scan that shows you have prostate cancer
And your prostate cancer is either intermediate risk or high risk.
Intermediate risk
You have either:
- a
PSA level between 10 and 20 ng/ml or - a
Gleason score of 7 or - stage T2b prostate cancer that is not considered to be high risk
High risk
You have either:
- a PSA level greater than 20ng/ml or
- a Gleason score of 8 to 10 or
- stage T2c (that is prostate cancer in both sides of the prostate but still in the prostate), stage 3 or stage 4
Who can’t take part
You cannot join this study if any of these apply. You:
- have treatment before the first carbon MRI scan is planned
- have problems with your kidneys. Your doctor will test for this.
- are not able to have an MRI scan. This could be because you have bits of metal such as surgical clips in your body, a pacemaker or you cannot tolerate being in small spaces.
Trial design
The team need 75 men to take part.
Having the scans
You have the following scans on the same day:
- carbon MRI scan
- sodium MRI scan
Each scan takes about an hour. You have a small plastic tube (cannula) into a vein in your arm. This is to take blood samples during the scans and to inject the contrast medium used in the study.
You also have a short coiled tube about 2cm wide put into your back passage (rectum). This is an endorectal coil. Many hospitals use the coil when taking an MRI scan of the prostate. For this study it is essential. The team cover the coil with a hygienic disposable cover before they use it for each person.
To have the scan, you have a rectal examination to help them put the coil into your back passage. An experienced doctor will put the coil in place and remove it after the scans. At first it might feel uncomfortable and then you might feel a little bit of pressure. Most people feel uncomfortable but don’t feel pain.
The doctor might need to move the coil to a different position. If they need to move it they take the coil out and then put it back in. The doctor will ask you if you are okay about having the coil put back in before doing so. You do not have to agree to this.
Repeat scans
The team will ask everyone if they are willing to come back within a week to have the scans again. You do not have to agree to this.
If you did not have surgery and are having other treatments such as hormones for your cancer, the team will ask if you are willing to have the scans again. This will be between 1 and 6 weeks after the initial scans. You do not have to agree to this.
Tissue samples for research
The team will ask if you are willing to have a tissue sample () of your prostate taken. Where possible they will ask for a piece of the biopsy that is taken as part of your routine care. The team will only ask for a fresh biopsy if all of the routine biopsy was used. They will use these samples to look for changes in the prostate tissue. You don’t have to agree to this.
Hospital visits
You see the doctor before taking part. This is for some blood tests and to talk about the study.
You have an MRI scan or mpMRI scan to confirm you have prostate cancer.
After this, if you are suitable for the study, you go back to the hospital to have the carbon MRI scan and sodium MRI scan on the same day. This could take up to 1 hour and 45 minutes. You can ask for a break between scans if you want.
Side effects
The study team monitor you during the scans and afterwards.
The contrast medium used for one of the MRI scans is a natural substance found in the body. It has been used in other studies and there have been no safety problems.
Side effects that people have had include:
- a weird taste in the mouth
- headaches
- flushing
- diarrhoea
- dizziness
These have been mild and did not last long.
We have more information about:
Location
Recruitment start:
Recruitment end:
How to join a clinical trial
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Chief Investigator
Dr Tristan Barrett
Professor Ferdia Gallagher
Supported by
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Cancer Research UK
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
Prostate Cancer UK
The Evelyn Trust
University of Cambridge
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
