NNUH top recruiters on research aimed at reducing prostate cancer treatment complications

Our oncology and research teams are one of the top recruiting hospitals in the world to a study that aims to reduce the risk of complications for patients receiving radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

Twenty-two patients at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital have so far taken part in the SABRE clinical trial, which is sponsored by Boston Scientific and is supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

The research study is testing the effectiveness of SpaceOAR Hydrogel, which creates a temporary barrier between the prostate and rectum, aiming to reduce the radiation dose and the potential side effects from radiotherapy treatment.

Our hospital is the second highest recruiter to this study and we are still actively recruiting.

We are pleased to be running this important study at NNUH and welcomed Boston Scientific to our Trust this week.

“Radiotherapy is very effective in targeting and treating localised prostate cancer and because of the proximity of the prostate to the rectum, there is a recognised risk of short-term and long-term gastrointestinal complications from this kind of treatment.

“We are delighted to be playing an important role in trialling this hydrogel rectal spacer for patients to reduce the risk of radiation complications for patients receiving stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), which involves using fewer, larger doses of radiotherapy, delivered over a shorter period.”

Dr Jenny Nobes, Consultant Oncologist, is Principal Investigator on the SABRE study at NNUH.