OBJECTIVES:
* Detect changes in serum and urine proteomic profiles that predict outcome in patients with newly diagnosed localized prostate cancer treated with hormonal therapy and radiotherapy.
* Identify prognostic and biochemical markers of early disease progression in patients treated with this regimen.
* Identify unique protein expression and temporal alterations, in these profiles, that facilitate understanding of the factors predicting relapse or toxicity.
* Identify molecular signatures that allow identification of targets for therapeutic intervention.
OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study.
Patients receive induction hormones\* (bicalutimide and releasing-hormone agonist) for approximately 4 months prior to starting radiotherapy (per standard treatment). Patients then receive radiotherapy consisting of 74 Gy up to a maximum of 81 Gy to the prostate gland per standard treatment.NOTE: \* Patients receiving short-term hormonal treatment for 4-8 months are eligible to participate in the trial.
Blood and urine samples are collected at baseline, and periodically during and after induction therapy for proteomic analysis.
After completion of study therapy, patients are followed up periodically for 5 years and yearly thereafter for the duration of the trial.
