Decades of research proves it, there’s no denying it, SBRT, also known as Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy, which is the technology that CyberKnife uses to treat patients is now considered a standard treatment of care for prostate cancer. In fact many prostate cancer specialists call it the Gold Standard and is the #1 treatment choice for patients who qualify for it. CyberKnife was long considered an alternative treatment for prostate cancer, but dozens of high level studies confirm it’s as good, if not even better than other treatment options in many cases.
It’s Long Overdue ~ Here’s the Proof and Why It Matters ~
HYPO-RT-PC The HYPO-RT-PC study is a landmark Scandinavian phase 3 clinical trial that established ultra-hypofractionated radiotherapy (a very short, high-dose course) as a safe and effective standard-of-care option for men with intermediate-to-high-risk localized prostate cancer.
PACE-B The PACE-B (Prostate Advances in Comparative Evidence) study is an international phase III clinical trial that established Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) as a new standard of care for men with low-to-intermediate-risk localized prostate cancer. The study demonstrated that a highly concentrated 5-day treatment course (SBRT) is just as effective as traditional radiotherapy schedules lasting 4 to 8 weeks.
UCLA-LED GENERAL CONSORTIUM STUDY The UCLA-led “general consortium study” refers to a massive, international, multi-institutional study led by Dr. Amar Kishan at UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center that analyzed the outcomes of 2,142 men with low-intermediate-and high-risk localized prostate cancer treated with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) between 2000 and 2012.
Key Aspects of the Study:
Purpose: To assess the long-term safety and efficacy of SBRT (high-dose radiation in five or fewer sessions) in a real-world, pooled cohort, given that earlier data was limited to smaller studies.
Findings: The study found low rates of toxicity and high efficacy (cancer control) with a median follow-up of nearly 7 years.
Significance: This, along with other studies led by UCLA, helped establish SBRT as a standard-of-care, non-invasive treatment option for low- to intermediate-risk prostate cancer, reducing treatment time from several weeks to just one week.
High-Risk Study: In 2021, Dr. Kishan led another consortium study on 344 patients with high-risk prostate cancer, proving SBRT to be safe and effective for this group, which was published in JAMA Oncology.
MIRAGE Trial: A randomized study demonstrating that MRI-guided SBRT reduces long-term side effects compared to CT-guided SBRT.
Post-Surgery SBRT: UCLA researchers also studied SBRT for recurrent prostate cancer after surgery (prostatectomy), finding it a safe, shorter, and effective option.
UCLA-LED SHARP CONSORTIUM (HIGH RISK DISEASE) The UCLA-led SHARP Consortium (Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for High-Risk Localized Carcinoma of the Prostate) is an international research group that validated a shortened, high-intensity radiation treatment for aggressive prostate cancer. The consortium’s primary findings, led by Dr. Amar Kishan at UCLA Health, established that Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) is a safe and effective “standard of care” option for high-risk patients.
Key Findings and Impact
Reduced Treatment Time: The study proved that a traditional 45-day radiation course can be safely condensed into just 5 days.
High Efficacy: Analysis of 344 patients showed a 4-year cure rate of 82% (biochemical recurrence-free survival) for those with high-risk disease.
Low Toxicity: Severe side effects were rare, with only about 2% of patients experiencing long-term urinary issues and less than 1% experiencing bowel issues.
Combined Therapy: The research indicated that combining SBRT with Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) further improves outcomes for high-risk cases.
Why This Matters: Prior to this consortium’s work, SBRT was primarily used for low-to-intermediate risk prostate cancer. The SHARP data provided the largest evidence base to date, published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, allowing high-risk patients to access this more convenient, non-invasive treatment.
For more information, or to set up a consultation and find out if CyberKnife is a good choice for you, call our team at 305-279-2900.