This is a phase 2, randomised, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigating the use of short term androgen deprivation therapy in the form of apalutamide (Erleada) in men on active surveillance for prostate cancer.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

To be included in the trial the patient must:

• Have given written informed consent to participate.

• Be aged 18 or over.

• Have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) status 0-2.

• Have selected active surveillance as a management option.

• Have an MRI detectable lesion with an M score of ≥ 3 using Likert scale OR PI-RADS (version 2.1) reporting criteria. If M score is 3 then lesion size (single or combined) of ≥10mm.

• Have prostate cancer from a combination of image guided targeted + systematic biopsies and MRI lesion and biopsy are concordant for a prostate cancer diagnosis.

• Not anticipated to require bladder outlet surgery during IMP treatment or for up to 12 months of follow-up.

• Meet all of the following clinical laboratory assessment criteria:

  • Haemoglobin ≥ 9.0 g/dL, independent of transfusion and/or growth factors within 3 months prior to randomisation.
  • Platelet count ≥ 100 x 109/L independent of transfusion and/or growth factors within 3 months prior to randomisation.
  • Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1.0 x 109/L within 21 days prior to randomisation.
  • Serum albumin ≥ 3.0 g/dL within 21 days prior to randomisation.
  • Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) ≥ 30 ml/min AND Serum creatinine ≤ 3 times the ULN (calculated by Cockcroft and Gault equation using actual body weight) within 21 days prior to randomisation.
  • Serum potassium ≥3.5 mmol/L within 21 days prior to randomisation.
  • Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤2.5 × ULN AND Serum total bilirubin ≤1.5 × ULN within 21 days prior to randomisation (Note: In patients with confirmed Gilbert's syndrome, if total bilirubin is >1.5 × ULN, measure direct and indirect bilirubin and if direct bilirubin is ≤1.5 × ULN, patient may be eligible in consultation with their physician).

• Have prostate cancer with any one or more of the following:

  • CPG2 (based on Grade Group 2 on histology)
  • CPG1 (based on Grade Group 1 on histology) with PSA high density (PSAd >0.15) and LIKERT or PI-RADS 4/5 lesion (individual or combined) of ≥10mm size.
  • CPG1 with PSA high density (PSAd >0.15) and ≥50% biopsy core involvement (number of positive cores/all cores taken) with target biopsies counted as one if LIKERT or PI-RADS 3 lesion

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

The presence of any of the following will preclude patient inclusion:

• Contraindications to apalutamide or its excipients.
• Pelvic metalwork interfering with MRI prostate interpretation.
• Any prior or concurrent use of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) or androgen receptor targeting agents (not including established and continued use of 5-ARIs for urinary symptoms).
• Systemic therapy for prostate cancer.
• Inability for patient to have prostate MRI scan.
• Concurrent involvement in a Clinical Trial of Investigational Medicinal Product (CTIMP); participation in an observational trial/studies is acceptable.
• Seizure or known condition that may pre-dispose to seizure (including but not limited to the following within 1 year prior to randomisation: prior stroke, transient ischemic attack, loss of consciousness, brain arteriovenous malformation; or intracranial masses such as schwannomas and meningiomas that are causing oedema or mass effect).
• Medications known to lower the seizure threshold or cause seizures must be discontinued or substituted at least 28 days prior to randomisation.
• In the opinion of investigator, patient is at increased risk of falls or fractures.
• Severe/unstable angina, myocardial infarction, symptomatic congestive heart failure, arterial or venous thromboembolic events (e.g., pulmonary embolism, cerebrovascular accident including transient ischemic attacks), or clinically significant ventricular arrhythmias within 6 months prior to randomisation. Cardiovascular risk factors should be optimised i.e. hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia.
• Uncontrolled hypertension (SBP ≥ 160 mmHg or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg). Patients with a history of uncontrolled hypertension are allowed provided blood pressure is controlled by anti-hypertensive treatment.
• Gastrointestinal disorder affecting absorption.
• Medicinal products known to prolong the QT interval or medicinal products able to induce Torsade de pointes such as class IA (e.g., quinidine, disopyramide) or class III (e.g., amiodarone, sotalol, dofetilide, ibutilide) antiarrhythmic medicinal products, methadone, moxifloxacin, antipsychotics (e.g. haloperidol). Alternative therapy, for the prohibited medication known to prolong the QTc, may be inistigated. A minimum washout for the discontinued medication of ≥ 4 half-lives is required prior to starting IMP.
• Symptoms suggestive of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)/toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN).