Novel bioabsorbable, low-dose rate brachytherapy device (CivaSheet®) with radical prostatectomy and adjuvant external beam radiation for the management of prostate cancer

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the safety and cancer control of a novel bioabsorbable, low-dose rate brachytherapy device, CivaSheet^® (CivaTech Oncology Inc., Durham, NC, USA), in combination with radical prostatectomy (RP) with or without adjuvant external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) for the management of prostate cancer (PCa).

Patients and Methods

This is an initial, single-centre experience, two-dose level, two-stage study conducted on patients with intermediate- and high-risk PCa. The CivaSheet was implanted during RP, followed by adjuvant EBRT in patients with adverse pathological features. Toxicities and peri- and postoperative complications were assessed. Biochemical recurrence (BCR) at the 6-month follow-up after EBRT was also evaluated.

Results

Six patients were enrolled, with a median (range) age of 56 (53–71) years. No intraoperative complications occurred. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed at a maximum tested dose of 75 Gy. BCR occurred in one patient at 6 months, while another patient had residual disease and metastasis at 6 months. All patients reported having postoperative erectile dysfunction and one patient experienced urinary incontinence after EBRT.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated the feasibility and safety of CivaSheet combined with RP and adjuvant EBRT for high-risk PCa. The short-term toxicity profile was well-tolerated, supporting further prospective evaluation with clinical trials.