๐Ÿ›๏ธ Verified NIH Record โ€ข Updated 2026-04-21

Proton Therapy vs. IMRT for Low or Intermediate Risk Prostate Cancer (NCT01617161)

Prostate Advanced Radiation Technologies Investigating Quality of Life (PARTIQoL): A Phase III Randomized Clinical Trial of Proton Therapy vs IMRT for Low or Intermediate Risk Prostate Cancer

๐Ÿ”ต Active, Not Recruiting Observational / Diagnostic ๐Ÿ“‹ Clinical Research Protocol Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital

๐Ÿฉบ Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)

We are studying whether men being treated for prostate cancer have the same amount of side effects from either one of two different external radiation treatments: IMRT or PBT. With IMRT, a number of x-ray beams are used to shape the radiation to the prostate. PBT is another type of external radiation treatment for prostate cancer that is used in a few centers in the United States. Protons are tiny particles with positive charge that can be controlled to travel a certain distance and stop. PBT is precise like IMRT, but it uses proton beams instead of x-ray beams. IMRT and PBT aim to deliver most of the radiation to the prostate cancer while sparing surrounding tissues. Both IMRT and PBT have been used in the treatment of prostate cancer and are thought to be equally effective at curing prostate cancer. However, both treatments have also been shown to cause the potential side effects of radiation, including bowel, urinary and erectile problems. It is possible that side effect rates with PBT will be lower, the same, or even higher than with IMRT, but this has not been studied well to date. Though both of these radiation therapies have been used in the past to treat prostate cancer, there has never been a study that compares the effects of these two therapies to see which one has less side effects. In this research study, we are comparing IMRT to PBT to determine which therapy best minimizes the side effects of treatment.

Who can join: Review the eligibility criteria below.

Location: University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute โ€” Jacksonville, Florida

Age range: 18 Years

๐Ÿงช Interventions in This Study

  • Proton Beam Therapy (RADIATION)
  • Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (RADIATION)

๐Ÿ“‹ "Do I Qualify?" โ€” 1-Minute Self Screener

Instant Checklist

Full eligibility criteria are available on the official NIH protocol. View the criteria โ†—

๐Ÿ“ All Participating Trial Locations (13 Sites)

  • University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute โ€” Jacksonville, Florida
  • Northwestern Medicine Chicago Proton Center โ€” Chicago, Illinois
  • University of Maryland Medical Center โ€” College Park, Maryland
  • Massachusetts General Hospital โ€” Boston, Massachusetts
  • Mass General/North Shore Cancer Center โ€” Danvers, Massachusetts
  • Mayo Clinic โ€” Rochester, Minnesota
  • Washington University โ€” St Louis, Missouri
  • Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey โ€” New Brunswick, New Jersey
  • Princeton ProCure Proton Therapy Center โ€” Somerset, New Jersey
  • University Hospital of Cleveland โ€” Cleveland, Ohio
  • Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania โ€” Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Provision Proton Therapy Center โ€” Knoxville, Tennessee
  • University of Washington Medical Center โ€” Seattle, Washington

๐Ÿ’ฐ Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights

  • 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
  • Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA ยง 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
  • Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.

Explore by condition: All Prostate Cancer clinical trials

๐Ÿ’ก How to Participate

  1. Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
  2. Review the official NIH record below to find the coordinating site.
  3. Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
  4. Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.
๐Ÿ›๏ธ View Official NIH Record โ†—