Kick-off for a major study on prostate cancer

Large study started on prostate cancer therapy in Germany

22/01/2013

The treatment of prostate cancer will be examined and evaluated in a large-scale clinical study. In a cooperation that is so far unique, the German Cancer Aid, the statutory and private health insurers, the German Society for Urology, the German Society for Radiation Oncology, the Association of German Urologists, the German Cancer Society and the German Association for Prostate Cancer Self-Help are evaluating the four common types of therapy for prostate cancer.

On Tuesday, the starting signal for one of the so far was given in Berlin „largest clinical trials in the field of oncology“, so the message of the German Cancer Aid. In the context of the PREFERE study, according to the initiators „For the first time, the common treatment options for early forms of prostate cancer were comparatively examined in around 7,600 patients.“ In total, about 1,000 resident urologists and radiotherapists as well as at least 90 test centers are to participate in the study nationwide. „The PREFERE study is the largest German urological research project of the last 50 years“, stressed the director of the Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology at Saarland University Hospital, Professor Michael Stöckle. Through the major project, the experts want „Create safety for the patient and the medical team“ and answers to the question of individual best therapy, Dr. Fritz Pleitgen, patron of the study and President of the German Cancer Aid.

Four common forms of prostate cancer therapy are reviewed
Prostate cancer is according to the message of the German Cancer Aid „the most common cancer among men in Germany.“ The Robert Koch Institute estimates the number of new cases at about 67,600 per year. As a rule, according to the experts, four possible treatment options are available: surgical removal of the tumor, external radiation, so-called brachytherapy (treatment with radiation sources permanently placed in the prostate) or „active monitoring with regular controls and the initiation of further treatment steps as the disease progresses.“ In order to enable an objective assessment of the different treatment options, about 25 million euros will be provided by the German Cancer Aid and the statutory and private health insurances until 2030 for the large-scale study on prostate cancer therapy. The study is headed by Professor Dr. Michael Stöckle and Professor dr. Thomas Wiegel, Director of the Department of Radiotherapy and Radiooncology of the University Hospital Ulm.

Large study with direct benefits for the patients
The starting point of the large study on prostate cancer therapy was a decision of the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA), which „the inclusion of so-called brachytherapy in the outpatient service catalog of the statutory health insurance initially suspended“ because there are insufficient data to evaluate this form of therapy. This maladministration is now to be remedied by the long-term large-scale project. However, according to Uwe Deh, Managing Director of the AOK-Federal Association, the starting signal for the study already has positive effects on patient care. „All concerned men now benefit from the comprehensive and scientifically based education about the advantages and disadvantages of all four treatment options“, stressed Deh on behalf of the statutory and private health insurance. The patients involved would be looked after by experienced specialists in designated study centers, with one therapy „according to current scientific findings and at the highest medical level“ is the message of the German Cancer Aid. (Fp)

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Picture: Klaus Rupp