UC San Diego Prostate Cancer Patient Summit 2026 - Summary

No IPCSG Meeting in January, Members Were Encouraged to Attend this Instead.

Event Details:

Date: January 30-31, 2026
Location: UC San Diego
Attendance: Over 200 patients, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare professionals

Day One (January 30, 2026)

Community Think Tank

Patient and caregiver-led roundtable discussions
Focus areas: care gaps, unanswered questions, treatment and support futures
Led by:
- Dr. Rana McKay (Professor of Medicine, Urology, and Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences)
- Dr. Christina Jamieson (Associate Professor in Residence, Urology)
- Dr. Chris Kane (Urologist, CEO of UC San Diego Health Physician Group)

"Big Questions in the Field" Panel

Direct engagement between leading clinicians and community members
Dynamic dialogue honoring patient experiences while sharing latest care advances

Conclusion: Large group discussion and action plan development

Day Two (January 31, 2026)

Opening Remarks from:

Dr. Aditya Bagrodia (Urologic Oncologist, Professor of Urology, GU Cancer Disease Team Co-Leader)
Dr. Rana McKay
Dr. Brent Rose (Radiation Oncologist, Associate Professor)
Dr. John Carethers (Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences)
Dr. Diane Simeone (Director of Moores Cancer Center)

Educational Sessions:

Session 1: "Thriving Beyond Diagnosis: Your Wellness Toolkit for Cancer Survivorship"

Essential health and wellness strategies throughout cancer journey

Patient Success Story: Paul Wormser (Senior VP of Technology at Intertek)

Shared personal clinical trial experience leading to remission
Provided hope and practical insights

Session 2: "Evidence-Based Insights: The Science of Supplements and Microbiome Health"

Leading-edge nutrition and microbiome research in prostate cancer care

Session 3: "Personalized Pathways: Choosing Your Treatment Journey"

Comprehensive treatment options tailored to individual circumstances

Keynote Address: David Justice, three-time MLB All-Star

Demonstrated broad reach and importance of patient advocacy

Session 4: "The Next Frontier: Breakthrough Science for Advanced Disease"

Latest innovations in treatment and research for advanced prostate cancer

Session 5: "Living Well: Comprehensive Support for Prostate Cancer Survivors"

Holistic strategies for thriving after diagnosis

Closing: "Ask Me Anything" Session

Direct Q&A with expert panel
Personalized insights and actionable information

Key Outcomes

Attendees gained actionable insights, renewed hope, and lasting support networks
Excellent evaluation ratings consistently received year after year
National-level expertise delivered in intimate, interactive atmosphere

Summit Distinction

The Summit combines national expertise with personal connection, creating a unique forum where patients, caregivers, and experts actively shape the future of prostate cancer care together.

January 2026 Monthly Update

A Summary for the Informed Prostate Cancer Support Group

By Claude AI Anthropic, February 13, 2026

Overview

January 2026 has brought significant developments in prostate cancer care, from FDA fast-track designations for novel local delivery systems to groundbreaking research on PSMA PET-guided treatment and optimal hormone therapy duration. NHS England's decision to expand abiraterone access, new clinical trial launches focusing on personalized radioligand therapy, and predictive tools for treatment response highlight the rapid evolution of precision medicine in prostate cancer. This update synthesizes the most important achievements from the past month.

FDA Regulatory Actions and Designations

###Fast Track Designation for Local Enzalutamide Delivery

On January 8, 2026, the FDA granted fast track designation to Enolen, a first-of-its-kind implant system for localized, sustained delivery of enzalutamide directly into prostate tissue for patients with low- to intermediate-risk localized prostate cancer. This designation from Alessa Therapeutics represents a potential paradigm shift in early-stage disease management.

The Enolen platform consists of novel antiandrogen-eluting implants containing enzalutamide that leverage proprietary local drug delivery technology. The implants are designed to provide 2 or more years of continuous drug elution directly to diseased tissue, potentially delivering high local drug concentrations while minimizing systemic exposure and associated adverse effects.

"Receiving fast track designation for Enolen is further evidence of the urgent need for new treatment options for early-stage prostate cancer," said Cam Gallagher, president and CEO of Alessa Therapeutics. "Patients living with prostate cancer deserve an alternative to active surveillance or being faced with the considerable negative effects common with the more aggressive treatment options available today."

A phase 1 feasibility study is currently evaluating Enolen's safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics in patients with confirmed prostate adenocarcinoma undergoing radical prostatectomy. The trial's primary endpoints include adverse event incidence and pharmacokinetic parameters. Initial findings are expected to be reported in 2026.

Fast Track Designation for 67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA

On February 19, 2026, the FDA granted fast track designation to 67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA for treating adult patients with PSMA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who have been previously treated with androgen receptor pathway inhibition. This copper-67 based radioligand therapy represents another addition to the growing arsenal of PSMA-targeted treatments.

Major NHS Policy Change

Abiraterone Approved for High-Risk Non-Metastatic Disease in England

On January 16, 2026, NHS England announced that men with high-risk locally advanced prostate cancer will be offered abiraterone, following landmark findings from the UCL-led STAMPEDE trial. This decision means approximately 8,000 men in England will be eligible for the drug annually, with projections showing it could reduce deaths from prostate cancer by around 50% within this high-risk group—from about 1,900 deaths to fewer than 1,000.

The STAMPEDE trial demonstrated that adding abiraterone to standard treatment for men with high-risk non-metastatic cancer could halve the risk of death from the disease and slow overall progression. In addition, abiraterone reduced the risk of disease progression or metastasis by nearly half, with 82% of men progression-free at six years compared with 69% on standard treatment.

Professor Gert Attard, trial co-lead from UCL Cancer Institute and Director of the UCL Cancer Institute, stated: "This is a hugely welcome moment for patients. Our research showed clearly that abiraterone can save lives when offered earlier to men at high risk of their cancer spreading. This latest NHS decision marks one of STAMPEDE's most significant impacts yet—a direct example of UCL-led science reshaping national cancer care and improving survival for thousands of men each year."

Patients with similar risk profiles in Wales and Scotland already have access to the drug on the NHS. Abiraterone works by stopping cancer spread by starving the disease of hormones it needs to grow, such as testosterone. The drug is given in combination with prednisolone, alongside standard care treatments including androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) and radiotherapy.

Groundbreaking Clinical Research

Optimal Duration of Hormone Therapy with Radiation Defined

A landmark meta-analysis published in JAMA Oncology in early January 2026 by Zaorsky et al. has provided critical guidance on the optimal duration of androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) when combined with definitive radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer.

The study used patient-level data from 13 randomized phase III trials, analyzing 10,266 patients with a median age of 70 years. Of these, 72% had NCCN high-risk or very high-risk disease, and ADT duration ranged from 0 to 36 months, with median follow-up of 11.3 years.

Key findings revealed that longer durations of ADT were associated with nonlinear relative benefits—meaning the benefit curve flattens after certain durations. Reduced estimated benefits were observed beyond ADT durations of 9 to 12 months. Importantly, a near-linear increase in risk of mortality from causes other than prostate cancer was observed with longer ADT duration (HR for 28 vs 0 months = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.09–1.50, P = .002).

The optimal ADT durations based on 10-year risk of distant metastasis were identified as:

0 months for patients with one NCCN intermediate-risk factor
6 months for patients with two or more NCCN intermediate-risk factors
12 months for NCCN high-risk disease
"Undefined" for NCCN very high-risk disease

This research provides individualized risk estimates that can help clinicians balance the benefits of longer ADT against the risks of non-cancer mortality, particularly important for older patients with comorbidities.

PSMA PET-Guided Radiation Improves Outcomes After Prostatectomy

Research published in the February 2026 issue of JNCCN—Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network found that incorporating information from PSMA PET/CT scans can predict progression-free survival and guide treatment planning in patients with rising PSA levels following prostatectomy.

The UCLA-led study used retrospective data from 113 patients treated at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, all staged with PSMA PET/CT scans for recurrent disease. Exploratory analysis revealed:

Patients with no visible disease on scans (T0N0M0) had the most favorable progression-free survival
Whole-pelvis radiotherapy (WPRT) provided no significant benefit compared to prostate bed radiotherapy alone in T0N0M0 patients
However, WPRT did significantly improve progression-free survival for patients with local, visible disease (TrN0M0)

Dr. John Nikitas, lead author, stated: "This research highlights the importance of facilitating routine PSMA PET/CT scans in patients with a biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer after surgery. The information from these scans is strongly associated with long-term outcomes and frequently changes treatment recommendations. We found that other measures, like PSA levels, were not strongly associated with long-term response to secondary/salvage therapy."

The researchers noted that PSMA PET imaging enables a move from "one-size-fits-all radiation therapy in the secondary/salvage setting to treatment that's guided by the anatomy, and perhaps by extension, the actual biology of a patient's prostate cancer."

Predictive Tool for Treatment Response Developed

University Hospitals researchers published a study in Nature Communications in January 2026 describing one of the first validated tools to predict before treatment whether a patient with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer will achieve a favorable biochemical response.

The study addressed an unmet clinical need: Early decline in PSA to very low levels is one of the strongest predictors of long-term survival, but clinicians currently must wait up to six months after starting therapy to see whether a patient achieves this favorable response. For patients who do not respond well, this delay may allow cancer to progress and become more resistant to treatment.

Dr. Soumyajit Roy, first author and radiation oncologist at UH Seidman Cancer Center, explained: "Because existing clinical risk stratification tools—such as disease volume or metastatic burden—are relatively imprecise, there has been an unmet need for a reliable, easy-to-use tool that can risk stratify patients earlier, before that critical six-month window closes."

The new model outperformed commonly used single risk factors such as PSA alone or metastatic volume, highlighting the importance of integrating multiple clinical variables. Senior author Dr. Daniel Spratt noted: "The significance lies in shifting prostate cancer care from a reactive approach—waiting to see who fails therapy—to a proactive, personalized strategy. By identifying patients who are unlikely to achieve an early favorable PSA response, clinicians may be able to intervene sooner, consider treatment intensification, or prioritize enrollment in clinical trials."

Metastasis-Directed Therapy Shows Survival Benefit

A first-of-its-kind meta-analysis of individual patient data across all available randomized clinical trials was published in The Lancet Oncology in early February 2026, demonstrating that metastasis-directed therapy significantly improved progression-free survival, radiologic progression-free survival, and castration resistance-free survival in patients with oligometastatic prostate cancer.

The analysis, led by Dr. Chad Tang from MD Anderson Cancer Center, included data from the EXTEND, STOMP, ORIOLE, SABR-COMET, ARTO, and RADIOSA trials. Initial data were shared at the 2025 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium.

Metastasis-directed therapy—most commonly stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT)—targets metastases at a stage when cancer has begun to spread but hasn't yet spread widely. This approach potentially delays disease progression and limits the need for more aggressive therapies that further impact quality of life. Despite widespread adoption in clinical practice, this represents the first level 1 evidence of benefit in oligometastatic prostate cancer.

Clinical Trial Initiatives

RECIPROCAL Trial Launched for Personalized Radioligand Therapy

On January 5, 2026, the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology launched the randomized phase III RECIPROCAL trial (Alliance A032304) to explore whether doctors can optimize the timing of targeted radiation therapy to minimize side effects while preserving efficacy in men with advanced prostate cancer.

"Our goal in this trial is to strategically improve both survival and quality of life for men living with advanced prostate cancer," said study chair Dr. Thomas Hope, Professor at UCSF. "We hope to prove we can safely adjust the therapy based on an individual's cancer instead of sticking to a rigid schedule, thus maintaining the effectiveness of targeted radiation therapy while reducing side effects."

The trial will enroll approximately 1,500 participants with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. All participants will start by receiving two infusions of PSMA radioligand therapy (Pluvicto) every six weeks. Those whose PSA levels fall will be randomized into two groups:

Group 1: Receives up to four more PSMA RLT treatments every six weeks (standard schedule)

Group 2: PSA levels checked every 3 weeks, with additional treatments only if PSA increases or evidence of disease progression appears; then receives up to four more doses

Dr. Deaglan McHugh, lead medical oncologist from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, stated: "By tailoring therapy to each patient's PSA response, we aim to reduce unnecessary toxicity and diminish side effects while still delivering the same survival benefit. Ultimately, we want men with advanced prostate cancer to not only live longer, but to also feel better during their treatment."

While PSMA RLT improves survival, it can cause side effects including dry mouth, fatigue, gastrointestinal issues, and in some cases, serious side effects such as blood disorders, kidney damage, or liver problems. The trial aims to determine whether response-adapted dosing can maintain efficacy while reducing toxicity.

Looking Ahead: ASCO GU 2026 Anticipated Data

As this newsletter goes to press, the 2026 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium is underway, with several closely anticipated data readouts:

PEACE-2 Trial: First results from the phase 3 trial evaluating ADT and radiotherapy with or without cabazitaxel in very high-risk localized prostate cancer, determining whether early systemic intensification can improve long-term outcomes.

PSMAddition Trial: Results from the phase 3 trial assessing addition of Pluvicto to standard-of-care therapy in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer using PSMA-PET imaging for patient selection.

CAPItello-281 Trial: Patient-reported outcomes and tolerability data for capivasertib (Truqap) plus abiraterone in PTEN-deficient metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.

PEACE-3 Trial: Final overall survival data evaluating enzalutamide with or without radium-223 as first-line treatment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer with bone metastases.

These trials are poised to inform how intensification, molecular selection, and novel combinations may be optimally integrated into prostate cancer management across disease states.

2026 Cancer Statistics

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2026, 333,830 men in the US will be newly diagnosed with prostate cancer, and 36,320 will die from the disease. The risk remains particularly high for Black men, who experience disproportionate incidence and mortality rates compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Five-year relative survival for distant-stage disease remains significantly lower than for localized disease, supporting the importance of stage-shifting early detection strategies.

Implications for Patient Care

The developments from January 2026 reflect several important trends in prostate cancer management:

1. Precision Medicine Advancing: The PSMA PET-guided radiation research and new predictive tools for treatment response demonstrate the field's movement toward truly individualized treatment based on molecular imaging and integrated clinical variables rather than population-level risk factors.

2. Local Therapy Innovation: The Enolen fast track designation represents growing interest in delivering systemic therapies locally to maximize efficacy while minimizing side effects—particularly important for early-stage disease where quality of life considerations are paramount.

3. Treatment De-intensification Where Appropriate: The ADT duration meta-analysis and RECIPROCAL trial both reflect recognition that "more is not always better." Optimizing treatment duration and intensity based on individual response can improve outcomes while reducing toxicity and non-cancer mortality.

4. Access to Innovation Expanding: NHS England's abiraterone decision demonstrates how mature trial data can drive policy changes that expand access to effective therapies, potentially saving hundreds of lives annually in that health system alone.

5. Oligometastatic Disease as Distinct Entity: The meta-analysis on metastasis-directed therapy provides level 1 evidence supporting treatment of oligometastatic disease as a distinct clinical state where aggressive local therapy to metastases can delay systemic progression.

Conclusion

January 2026's achievements in prostate cancer care emphasize the accelerating pace of precision medicine implementation. From novel drug delivery systems receiving FDA fast track designation to sophisticated imaging-guided treatment approaches and response-adapted therapy schedules, the field continues moving toward more personalized, effective, and tolerable treatment strategies.

The NHS England abiraterone decision demonstrates how rigorous clinical trial evidence can translate into policy changes that save lives at a population level. Meanwhile, new predictive tools and imaging-guided approaches promise to identify earlier which patients need treatment intensification versus those who can safely avoid additional toxicity.

For IPCSG members, these developments reinforce the importance of discussing PSMA PET imaging with care teams for biochemical recurrence, considering enrollment in trials like RECIPROCAL that may offer cutting-edge approaches, and staying informed about optimal treatment durations based on individual risk factors.

The upcoming ASCO GU 2026 presentations promise additional practice-changing data that will be covered in next month's update.

Prostate Cancer Achievements - January 2026

50%

Reduction in Deaths
with Earlier Abiraterone

8,000

Men in England
Eligible Annually

1,500

Patients in New
RECIPROCAL Trial

82%

Progression-Free
at 6 Years

Major Breakthroughs

💊

NHS England Expands Access

Abiraterone approved for high-risk non-metastatic prostate cancer, making 8,000 men eligible annually. STAMPEDE trial showed 50% reduction in cancer deaths for this group.

🎯

Local Drug Delivery Innovation

Enolen FDA Fast Track granted for implants delivering enzalutamide directly to prostate tissue over 2+ years, potentially avoiding systemic side effects in early-stage disease.

⏱️

Optimal Hormone Therapy Duration

JAMA Meta-Analysis of 10,266 patients defines ideal ADT durations: 6-12 months for most patients, balancing cancer control against non-cancer mortality risks.

🔬

PSMA PET-Guided Precision

JNCCN Study shows PSMA PET imaging predicts treatment response and guides radiation planning after prostatectomy, enabling individualized salvage therapy approaches.

🧬

Predictive Response Tool

Nature Communications publishes first validated tool to predict treatment response before therapy starts, enabling proactive intensification for high-risk patients.

☢️

Personalized Radioligand Trial

RECIPROCAL Trial launched with 1,500 patients to test PSA-guided Pluvicto dosing, aiming to reduce toxicity while maintaining survival benefits.

January-February 2026 Timeline

January 5, 2026

RECIPROCAL Trial Launch

Alliance launches phase III trial testing personalized PSMA radioligand therapy dosing based on PSA response

January 7, 2026

Predictive Response Tool

UH researchers publish Nature Communications study on first validated tool to predict treatment response before therapy starts

January 8, 2026

Enolen FDA Fast Track

First-of-kind local enzalutamide delivery implant receives FDA fast track designation for early-stage disease

January 16, 2026

NHS England Abiraterone Approval

8,000 men annually with high-risk non-metastatic disease now eligible; STAMPEDE trial showed 50% mortality reduction

Early January 2026

ADT Duration Meta-Analysis

JAMA Oncology publishes optimal hormone therapy duration guidance from 10,266 patients across 13 trials

February 2026

PSMA PET-Guided Radiation Study

JNCCN publishes UCLA research showing imaging-guided salvage therapy improves outcomes after prostatectomy

February 2026

Oligometastatic Therapy Meta-Analysis

Lancet Oncology publishes first level 1 evidence that metastasis-directed therapy improves survival in oligometastatic disease

February 19, 2026

67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA Fast Track

FDA grants fast track designation to copper-67 radioligand therapy for mCRPC previously treated with ARPI

References

Alessa Therapeutics. Alessa Therapeutics announces FDA fast track designation for Enolen, a first-of-its-kind treatment for localized prostate cancer. News release. January 8, 2026. https://alessatherapeutics.com/news/
Enzalutamide implants (Enolen) in patients with prostate cancer. ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated June 28, 2024. Accessed January 9, 2026. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06257693
UCL News. UCL research leads to new NHS treatment for high-risk prostate cancer. January 16, 2026. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2026/jan/ucl-research-leads-new-nhs-treatment-high-risk-prostate-cancer
Cancer Research UK. Thousands more men in England offered abiraterone, one of our prostate cancer treatment breakthroughs. January 19, 2026. https://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2026/01/16/
Zaorsky NG, et al. Determining the Optimal Duration of Androgen-Deprivation Therapy Added to Definitive Radiotherapy in Localized Prostate Cancer. JAMA Oncol. Published online January 2026.
Nikitas J, et al. Five-Year Outcomes After Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen PET/CT-Guided Salvage Radiotherapy Following Radical Prostatectomy. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2026;24(2). DOI: 10.6004/jnccn.2025.7102
NCCN. New Study in JNCCN Unlocks Important Information About How to Treat Recurring Prostate Cancer. News release. February 9, 2026. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/302682612.html
Roy S, Spratt DE, et al. Predictive model for early biochemical response in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Nat Commun. Published online January 7, 2026.
University Hospitals. UH Researchers develop tool to identify risk in metastatic prostate cancer. News release. January 7, 2026. https://news.uhhospitals.org/news-releases/articles/2026/01/
Tang C, et al. Metastasis-directed therapy for oligometastatic prostate cancer: a meta-analysis of individual patient data. Lancet Oncol. Published online February 2026.
The ASCO Post. Metastasis-Directed Therapy for Oligometastatic Prostate Cancer. February 5, 2026. https://ascopost.com/news/february-2026/
Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology. New Prostate Cancer Trial Seeks to Reduce Toxicity. News release. January 5, 2026. https://www.allianceforclinicaltrialsinoncology.org/
Alliance A032304/NCT07200830—Radioligand Efficacy Comparison by Initial PSA-Response Outcome in Metastatic CRPC With Lutetium 177Lu PSMA RLT (RECIPROCAL). ClinicalTrials.gov.
Targeted Oncology. FDA Approvals & Designations in Oncology: February 2025 Highlights. February 2026. https://www.targetedonc.com/view/fda-approvals-designations-in-oncology-february-2025-highlights
OncLive. Prostate Cancer Experts Preview Trials to Watch at ASCO GU 2026. February 11, 2026. https://www.onclive.com/view/prostate-cancer-experts-preview-trials-to-watch-at-asco-gu-2026
Siegel RL, Kratzer TB, Wagle NS, Sung H, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2026. CA Cancer J Clin. 2026 Jan-Feb;76(1):e70043. doi:10.3322/caac.70043
Urology Times. National Cancer Prevention Month: Prostate Cancer Screening FAQs for Clinicians. February 11, 2026. https://www.urologytimes.com/view/national-cancer-prevention-month-prostate-cancer-screening-faqs-for-clinicians

This report synthesizes information from peer-reviewed publications, FDA announcements, institutional press releases, and clinical trial results from January-February 2026. Patients should consult with their healthcare providers regarding applicability of these developments to their individual circumstances.

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