Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials in the UK (2026)
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, with around 52,000 new diagnoses each year. Research has transformed prostate cancer treatment over the past decade, particularly for advanced disease. This guide covers the types of prostate cancer trials currently recruiting in the UK and how to find ones relevant to your situation.
Types of Prostate Cancer Trials
Prostate cancer trials are usually categorised by disease stage:
Trials comparing active surveillance strategies, focal therapies (HIFU, cryotherapy), radiotherapy techniques, and surgery approaches. Some test whether adding targeted therapy improves outcomes after surgery.
Testing combinations of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with novel hormonal agents (abiraterone, enzalutamide, apalutamide, darolutamide), chemotherapy, or radiotherapy to the primary tumour.
The most active area of research. Trials testing PARP inhibitors (olaparib, rucaparib, niraparib) for BRCA/HRR-mutated disease, lutetium-177 PSMA radioligand therapy, novel hormonal agents, and immunotherapy combinations.
Following the success of lutetium-177 PSMA-617 (Pluvicto), new trials test PSMA-targeted approaches across earlier disease stages and in combination with other treatments.
Key Biomarkers
Several biomarkers determine eligibility for prostate cancer trials:
- BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations — Required for most PARP inhibitor trials. Around 10-12% of metastatic prostate cancer patients carry these mutations
- Homologous Recombination Repair (HRR) gene mutations — A broader category that includes BRCA plus ATM, CHEK2, PALB2, and others
- MSI-H / MMR deficiency — Present in about 3-5% of prostate cancers, may qualify for immunotherapy trials
- PSMA expression — Detected on PET imaging, required for PSMA-targeted therapy trials
- AR-V7 status — Emerging biomarker that may predict response to hormonal therapy vs. chemotherapy
- PTEN loss — May qualify for AKT inhibitor trials
Tip: Genetic testing for prostate cancer is increasingly available on the NHS. Ask your oncologist about germline and somatic testing — this information is essential for matching to the right trial. Use our Smart Matcher to find trials based on your biomarker results.
Treatment Lines and Trial Access
The treatment pathway for advanced prostate cancer typically follows a sequence, and trial availability depends on where you are in that pathway:
- First-line metastatic — ADT plus novel hormonal agent or chemotherapy. Several trials test which combinations work best
- After hormonal therapy progression — Switch to a different hormonal agent, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy. Many PARP and PSMA trials sit here
- After multiple prior therapies — Phase 1 and early Phase 2 trials testing novel agents, often available through major cancer centres
UK Trial Locations
Major prostate cancer research centres in the UK include:
- London — The Royal Marsden, UCLH, Guy's Hospital
- Manchester — The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
- Leeds — St James's University Hospital
- Newcastle — Northern Centre for Cancer Care
- Birmingham — Queen Elizabeth Hospital
- Edinburgh — Edinburgh Cancer Centre
- Bristol — Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre
What to Expect on a Prostate Cancer Trial
- Regular PSA monitoring and imaging (CT, bone scans, or PSMA PET)
- Trial treatment provided free alongside standard NHS care
- Extra visits for blood tests, quality of life assessments, and safety monitoring
- Access to the research team in addition to your regular oncologist
- The right to withdraw at any time without affecting your standard treatment
Find Your Matching Trials
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