Perth doctors leading the world in emerging nuclear medicine trial targeting advanced prostate cancer

Perth, Western Australia: GenesisCare doctors based in Murdoch are leading the world with a Phase 3 clinical trial in nuclear medicine known as ProstACT GLOBAL, targeting advanced prostate cancer.

ProstACT GLOBAL, sponsored by Melbourne-headquartered Telix Pharmaceuticals, is the first Phase 3 study to research the use of a new form of nuclear medicine – known as a radio antibody-drug conjugate or rADC – in combination with the existing standard of care. The trial drug is attracted to a protein called prostate-specific membrane antigen or PSMA, found on the surface of prostate cancer cells, and once deployed in the body, aims to selectively target tumour cells with radiation therapy and avoid healthy areas.

GenesisCare’s Clinical Head of Theranostics and Nuclear Medicine Oncology Dr Aviral Singh is a principal investigator on the trial at St John of God Murdoch Hospital’s Nuclear Medicine and Research Hub, and said that while survival rates for men diagnosed with prostate cancer are generally around 96% in Australia, tragically it is estimated that around 3,900 men will die from the disease in 2024¹: “During Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, it’s not only important to raise awareness of the disease, but to shine a light on the late stage of the illness and the research looking for new types of treatments.”

“This trial targets advanced progressive metastatic prostate cancer, which has not responded to other forms of treatment and has spread through the body. We are looking at the safety of PSMA theranostics and how this agent may improve overall survival and also quality of life for patients,” said Dr Singh.

“Theranostics may help to provide a comparatively safer, targeted, and individualised option for the management of cancer patients. We are pleased to be the first location to advance this international trial in Perth and demonstrate GenesisCare’s commitment to searching for more ways to treat advanced prostate cancer.”

Dr David N. Cade, Telix Chief Medical Officer, added, “Building on recently reported positive efficacy data, we are pleased to expand the international Phase 3 ProstACT GLOBAL study with GenesisCare. The innovative trial design is differentiated by a patient-friendly dosing regimen and integrates with realworld standard of care, reflective of Telix’s continued innovation in prostate cancer care and commitment to patient outcomes. We would like to thank Dr Singh and his clinical team, as well as the patients who will contribute to the study.

Theranostics is a rapidly developing approach to cancer treatment, which may be suitable for some patients who have not responded to other therapies or in cases where the cancer has spread to multiple sites. Theranostics is a type of treatment that combines therapy and diagnostics.

GenesisCare, Murdoch opened in 2022 and offers cancer patients access to Theranostics and nuclear medicine services, radiation oncology and access to clinical trials for eligible patients. 

Key statistics¹:

• Prostate Cancer is estimated to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer for males in Australia.
• In 2024, it is estimated that more than 26,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, accounting for an estimated 28% of the cancers diagnosed that year.
• In 2020, the overall prostate cancer 5-year survival rates were at 96%.
• In 2024, it is estimated that there will be around 3900 deaths due to prostate cancer.