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Clinical trial launched to test use of MRI to improve prostate cancer
diagnosis and management
Research supported by the Movember Foundation, the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research and Prostate Cancer Canada
Toronto, ON – June 1, 2016 – The Movember Foundation, the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) and
Prostate Cancer Canada today announced $3 million in funding for a new Phase III clinical trial to evaluate if
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can replace the current standard of care to diagnose prostate cancer. The
primary objective of the multi-centre trial, called PRECISE, is to determine whether MRI imaging can spare some
men from undergoing a biopsy and avoid the possible associated side effects.
The trial will be led by Dr. Laurence Klotz of the Sunnybrook Research Institute in Toronto, a world leader in the
field of prostate cancer research and in the global adoption of active surveillance, a standard practice to monitor
patients with low risk prostate cancer.
MRI technology is a precise tool that could better identify which patients should undergo biopsy, and enable
targeted biopsy of only areas suspected of malignancy. The PRECISE trial, which is estimated to be completed in
three years, will investigate the ability of MRI to improve the diagnosis of clinically important disease and reduce
the requirement for prostate biopsies. Currently, prostate cancer is diagnosed by trans-rectal ultrasound (TRUS)guided biopsy of the prostate, in most cases following a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test. TRUS-guided biopsy is
associated with potential side effects such as infection and bleeding because it is not targeted, requiring numerous
biopsy samples (between 10 and 12) to establish an accurate reading. In addition, this current standard of care is
not sensitive enough to be able to discriminate between high-risk and very low-risk changes in prostate tissue,
resulting in the over-diagnosis and over-treatment of many men, exacerbating the risk for side effects.
“If positive, this trial would support a change in practice from relying on biopsies for all men with suspected
prostate cancer to providing MRI first with selective targeted biopsy,” explained Klotz. “This would allow 250,000
men per year in the U.S. and Canada to avoid unnecessary biopsies and the associated complications including
hospitalization, without compromising our ability to identify clinically significant cancers.”
“One of the strategic priorities of OICR is to improve the management of patients with early prostate cancer, to
avoid over-diagnosis while ensuring men with prostate cancer get the treatment they need,” said Dr. Lincoln Stein,
Interim Scientific Director of the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research. “Using MRI technology to image the
prostate before biopsy will help reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies and their associated complications,
while ensuring maximum precision for guiding the biopsy when and where it is really needed. Along with our
partners at Movember and Prostate Cancer Canada, we are proud to support this trial and look forward to seeing
the results in the clinic.”
“The Movember Foundation continually looks to stay true to one of our core values in constructive disruption —
being prepared to take risks and use novel approaches to solving problems. We recognize this investment is in line
with not only that, it also seeks to achieve the core pillars of our investment strategy in leading to the avoidance of
unnecessary treatment and to lead to minimally invasive tests,” said Jon Tower Akerman of the Movember
Foundation, adding, “We’re proud to see that our partners agree, innovation matters.”
Data management and analysis for the trial will be conducted by the Ontario Clinical Oncology Group (OCOG) in
the Escarpment Cancer Research Institute, a Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster University institute. “We are
excited about collaborating with Dr. Klotz on the evaluation of this innovative technology which could potentially
impact the lives of thousands of Canadian men,” said Dr. Mark Levine, Director of OCOG.
“Approximately 20 years after PCC helped fund Dr. Klotz’ watchful observation study, hundreds and hundreds of
men with low-risk prostate cancer have had an option to avoid unnecessary treatment,” said Dr. Stuart Edmonds,
PCC’s vice-president of Research and Health Promotion. “We’re proud to join Movember and OICR to support Dr.
Klotz’ work aimed at ensuring men will also have an option to greatly reduce the risks associated with biopsies.”
Dr. Klotz is a physician and researcher based at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto. He is also a
professor at the University of Toronto and the Chair of the World Urologic Oncology Federation. This month he
was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada.
-30About Movember Foundation
The Movember Foundation is a global charity raising funds and awareness for men’s health. These funds deliver
breakthrough research and support services to allow men to live longer, healthier lives. Since 2003, millions have
joined the men’s health movement, raising $670 million and funding over 800 programs through impact
investments, focusing on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health and physical inactivity. The
Foundation runs awareness and fundraising activities year-round, with the annual Movember campaign in
November being globally recognized for its fun and innovative approach to raising money and getting men to take
action for their health. During Movember, we challenge men to grow a moustache or to make a commitment to
get active and MOVE, both of which are about real action for health and are done to spark conversation and raise
vital funds and awareness. The Foundation’s vision is to have an everlasting impact on the state of men’s health.
Movember is a registered charity in Canada - BN 848215604 RR0001. For more information visit Movember.com.
About Prostate Cancer Canada
Prostate Cancer Canada is the leading national foundation dedicated to the prevention of the most common
cancer in men through research, advocacy, education, support and awareness. As one of the largest investors in
prostate cancer research in Canada, Prostate Cancer Canada is committed to continuous discovery in the areas of
prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and support. For more information please visit prostatecancer.ca
About OICR
OICR is an innovative cancer research and development institute dedicated to prevention, early detection,
diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The Institute is an independent, not-for-profit corporation, supported by the
Government of Ontario. OICR’s research supports more than 1,700 investigators, clinician scientists, research staff
and trainees located at its headquarters and in research institutes and academia across the Province of Ontario.
OICR has key research efforts underway in small molecules, biologics, stem cells, imaging, genomics, informatics
and bio-computing. For more information, please visit the website at http://oicr.on.ca/.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Adam Miller
Manager, Communications
Email: [email protected]
T 416-441-2131 ext./poste 235