Hästens-PCF Global Health Award Aims to Advance Prostate Cancer Care in Nigeria
The Hästens-Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) Global Health Award is set to play a crucial role in improving prostate cancer care in Nigeria. The initiative, which aligns with efforts to enhance cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment in emerging nations, will support the extension of the phase 3 STAMPEDE2 clinical trial (NCT06320067) to Nigeria. This trial focuses on comparing 177Lu-PSMA-617 (Pluvicto) therapy to the standard-of-care treatment in patients with metastatic, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer incidence is climbing worldwide, and nations with lower incomes face disproportionately high mortality rates, partly due to limited awareness, social stigma, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure for screening and diagnosis. The collaboration between PCF and Hästens addresses these challenges by funding essential research and covering operational and administrative expenses. The award will serve as a recurring fund to sustain scalable, locally-driven initiatives that advance prostate cancer care globally.
The program, co-led by Omolara Aminat Fatiregun, MBBS, MSc, MPH, from the Lagos State University College of Medicine and Nick James, MBBS, PhD, from The Institute of Cancer Research, London, aims to elevate awareness and early detection of prostate cancer. Additionally, it seeks to generate high-quality data to inform care improvements. Beyond the initial award period, the program will focus on maintaining institutionalized training, integrating policies, and developing regional networks of excellence. The STAMPEDE2 trial expansion is expected to set a benchmark for upcoming awards.
Gina Carithers, CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation, emphasized the award's significance, stating, “The Hästens-PCF Global Health Award is a testament to our commitment to saving lives by accelerating the global impact of prostate cancer research and care." She further highlighted that the collaboration with Hästens and generous donors will help realize the vision of equal access to advanced prostate cancer care, regardless of geography.
The STAMPEDE2 trial is a comprehensive international study that examines innovative treatment strategies for advanced hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Participants are divided into three groups, all receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), androgen receptor signaling inhibition (ARPI), radiation therapy, and docetaxel treatment. The trial's arms include a control group, a group receiving stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR), and a group treated with 177Lu-PSMA-617.
Eligibility criteria for the trial include adults aged 18 or older with confirmed or strongly suspected prostate adenocarcinoma, metastatic site confirmation through CT/MRI and bone or PET scans, and initiation or intention to initiate long-term ADT for at least two years. The primary endpoint of this study focuses on overall survival, with secondary endpoints evaluating failure-free survival, radiographic progression-free survival, and prostate cancer-specific survival, along with safety metrics.
Fatiregun expressed her dedication to bridging global disparities in prostate cancer research and treatment, stating, "It is with great honor and gratitude to the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Hästens that I can continue my life’s work and help bring world-class precision medicine to Nigerian patients."
The Hästens-PCF Global Health Award represents a significant step forward in combating prostate cancer in Nigeria, promising to enhance the quality of care through increased awareness, improved detection, and innovative treatment options.