New combo aims to outsmart prostate cancer without Long-Term hormone shots

NCT ID NCT03007732

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether adding the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) — alone or with an injected immune stimulant called SD-101 — to standard radiation and short-term hormone therapy could better control prostate cancer that has spread to a few spots. Twenty-three men with newly diagnosed, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer took part. The goal was to see if the combination could keep PSA levels low even after hormone therapy was stopped, potentially allowing men to avoid continuous hormone treatment.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and SD-101 (a drug injected into the tumor to boost immune response)

What this could lead to

If successful, this combination could offer a new way to control prostate cancer that has spread to a few spots, potentially delaying the need for continuous hormone therapy.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-phase trial with only 23 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The added drugs can cause immune-related side effects, and the benefit over standard care is not yet proven.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

metastatic prostate carcinoma prostate cancer prostate neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • University of California San Francisco

    San Francisco, California, 94143, United States