Stopped: Discontinuation of funding
This study will enroll prostate cancer patients with an unfavorable intermediate- or high-risk diagnosis. The purpose of this study is to determine whether a regimen of pembrolizumab and low dose prostate radiation or low dose prostate radiation alone prior to a prostatectomy affects cells of the immune system and if it is a safe option for this stage of prostate cancer. Participants will be randomized 1:1 (like flipping a coin) to receive pembrolizumab, low dose prostate radiation and a prostatectomy or low dose prostate radiation and a prostatectomy. Pembrolizumab is an investigational drug that increases the ability of the immune system to kill tumor cells. Low dose radiation can alter the way tumor cells look to the immune cells. For example, the immune cells may express different proteins that make them more susceptible to immune cell killing or the structure of the tumor may be altered to allow the immune cells to infiltrate the tumor more thoroughly. The prostate tissue collected from the prostatectomy will be analyzed for differences in pathology and local immune cell infiltration, and participants will be followed for 2 years to watch for prostate specific antigen (PSA) recurrence and prostate cancer recurrence.
Age range
18 Years
Sex
MALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Total number of CD8+ T-cells in prostatectomy samples
Timeframe: Prostatectomy (Week 7 for Arm A, Week 3 for Arm B)
Location of CD8+ T-cells in prostatectomy samples
Timeframe: Prostatectomy (Week 7 for Arm A, Week 3 for Arm B)
Characteristics of CD8+ T-cells in prostatectomy samples
Timeframe: Prostatectomy (Week 7 for Arm A, Week 3 for Arm B)