Commenting on both radiotherapy studies and the use of proton-beam therapy in general, Jeffrey Bradley, MD, of Washington University in St Louis, agreed with both presenters that a randomized prospective trial is needed to justify the use of proton-beam therapy in prostate cancer.

Washington University is building its own proton-beam center, the first single-room system in the world. Dr. Bradley noted that at this point, prostate cancer is not at the top of the list of diseases treated with proton-beam therapy.

“With limited resources, we will tend to use [proton-beam therapy] where there is a proven benefit—in children and to treat diseases near the base of the skull, brain, and eye. Proton-beam therapy may enable a shorter treatment time and spares normal tissue, but we need a randomized trial to establish its use in prostate cancer,” Dr. Bradley said. ■

Disclosure:Dr. Bradley reported no potential conflicts of interest.