Stage IIIC Prostate Cancer AJCC v8

This phase II trial studies the effect of androgen ablation therapy with or without niraparib after standard of care radiation therapy in treating patients with prostate cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body (localized) or that has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes (locally advanced). Androgen ablation therapy (also known as hormone therapy) lowers the levels of male hormones called androgens in the body. Androgens stimulate prostate cancer cells to grow. There are 2 types of androgen ablation therapy given in this study: AAP + ADT and Apa + ADT. AAP + ADT is the treatment combination of the drugs abiraterone acetate and prednisone (AAP) given with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT, also known as androgen deprivation therapy or androgen suppression medication, which is used as standard of care to lower testosterone levels in men with high risk localized or metastatic prostate cancer). Apa + ADT is the treatment combination of the drug apalutamide (Apa) given with ADT. Androgen ablation therapy with or without niraparib after radiation therapy may help to control the disease in patients with prostate cancer.

This trial evaluates whether a network of peer genetic coaches is useful for addressing disparities in genetic testing and screening among African American men with prostate cancer that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic). While genetic testing has become central to prostate cancer care, African American men are less likely seek testing due to lack of awareness, cultural beliefs, financial limitations, fear of discrimination, and mistrust in the healthcare system. A network of peer genetic coaches may help address barriers, beliefs, and needs of African American men in the community and provide navigation to increase engagement in genetic testing.

This phase II trial investigates whether proton radiation therapy directed to the prostate tumor, pelvic, and para-aortic lymph nodes, is an effective way to treat patients with high-risk or lymph node positive prostate cancer who are receiving radiation therapy, and if it will result in fewer gastrointestinal and genitourinary side effects. Proton beam therapy is a new type of radiotherapy that directs multiple beams of protons (positively charged subatomic particles) at the tumor target, where they deposit the bulk of their energy with essentially no residual radiation beyond the tumor. By reducing the exposure of the healthy tissues and organs to radiation in the treatment of prostate cancer, proton therapy has the potential to better spare healthy tissue and reduce the side effects of radiation therapy.

This phase II trial tests how well carboplatin before surgery works in treating patients with high-risk prostate cancer and an inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation. Carboplatin is in a class of medications known as platinum-containing compounds. It works in a way similar to the anticancer drug cisplatin, but may be better tolerated than cisplatin. Carboplatin works by killing, stopping, or slowing the growth of tumor cells. Giving carboplatin before surgery may shrink tumors in patients with high-risk prostate cancer with BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations.

This phase II trial investigates the effect of high dose-rate brachytherapy and stereotactic body radiotherapy in treating patients with prostate adenocarcinoma. Brachytherapy, also known as internal radiation therapy, uses radioactive material placed directly into or near a tumor to kill tumor cells. Stereotactic body radiation therapy uses special equipment to position a patient and deliver radiation to tumors with high precision. This method may kill tumor cells with fewer doses over a shorter period and cause less damage to normal tissue.

This phase II trial investigates the effect of extremely hypofractionated intensity modulated stereotactic body radiotherapy in treating patients with prostate cancer that has rising prostate specific antigen (PSA) after radical prostatectomy. Stereotactic body radiation therapy uses special equipment to position a patient and deliver radiation to tumors with high precision. This method may kill tumor cells with fewer doses over a shorter period and cause less damage to normal tissue. Hypofractionated radiation therapy delivers higher doses of radiation therapy over a shorter period of time and may kill more tumor cells and have fewer side effects.