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Not yet recruitingNCT04993508PRIMAUpdated Sep 26, 2025

Randomized Prospective Multi Center Cohort Study for Primary Diagnosis of Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer With Combination of PSA/DRE and Multi Parametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging

An interventional study of PSA test and multiparametric prostate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (mpMRI) in Prostate Cancer, sponsored by Heinrich-Heine University, Duesseldorf. Not yet recruiting. Open to male participants aged 50 Years to 75 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-09-26.

Sponsored by Heinrich-Heine University, Duesseldorf · Not applicable, Interventional, and Diagnostic

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
1,908
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
50 Years to 75 Years
Sex
Male
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Study summary

This randomized prospective multi center study is designed to confirm a new diagnostic pathway in primary diagnosis of clinically significant prostate cancer by combination of serum levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA), digitorectal examination (DRE), and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI). Men at the age of 50 to 75 with an elevated PSA (>= 3 ng/ml) and /or suspicious DRE receive an upfront multi parametric MRI. Only men with MRI results suspicious of clinically significant prostate cancer will be biopsied. Those will be randomized into arm A and arm B. Arm A undergoes only targeted MRI/US fusion-guided biopsies (= TB with a maximum of 3 targets and 4 cores per target). Arm B receives systematic biopsies (= SB with 12 biopsy cores) and TB. Men with unsuspicious mpMRI will be receive follow-up according to current clinical standards. PRIMA will prospectively evaluate if stand-alone targeted MRI/US fusion-guided biopsy alone is sufficient to detect clinically significant prostate cancer (csPC with (ISUP grade group ≥ 2) and to avoid unnecessary detection of low-grade PC (ISUP 1) in biopsy-naïve men compared to a combined biopsy (systematic plus targeted) approach. The results of this study will directly influence clinical practice, will have a positive impact on patients' lives, and will lower the financial burden due to reduced overdiagnosis and over treatment.

Read the detailed description

Men at the age of 50 to 75 years with an elevated PSA (≥ 3 ng/ml) and/or suspicious DRE receive a multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) and will be stratified based on MRI results. Only men with suspicious MRI, PI-RADS 4/5, and PI-RADS 3 in conjunction with high PSA density (PSAD > 0.15) are biopsied.

These will be randomized into arms A nd B. While patients in arm A undergo only targeted MRI/US fusion-guided biopsies (TB), patients in the "combined" arm B receive systematic biopsies (SB) and TB.

Statistical analysis for the detection rate of clinically significant and insignificant prostate cancers is composed of testing the non-inferiority and superiority of TB vs. TB+SB, respectively, using a global significance level of α = 0.05.

Interventions that are conducted within the PRIMA trial include PSA testing, digital rectal examination of the prostate (DRE), multiparametric prostate MRI, systematic and MRI/US fusion-guided biopsies as well as MRI inbore biopsies.

Arms A + B: Men with PI-RADS 4/5 and PI-RADS 3 in conjunction with PSAD > 0.15 will be randomized into arm A or arm B and biopsied as explained above. Men with PI-RADS 3 and PSAD > 0.15 with negative biopsy results will receive a follow-up MRI after 12 months. In case of upgrade to PI-RADS 4/5, men will be re-biopsied. Men with PI-RADS 4/5 without cancer diagnosis or with clinically insignificant cancer in the subsequent biopsy will be offered an additional MRI inbore biopsy. If MRI inbore biopsy is negative or with clinically insignificant cancer in men with PI-RADS 4/5, men will be followed-up with MRI after 12 months. In the case of persistent PI-RADS 4/5, men will be re-biopsied.

02

Conditions studied

  • Prostate Cancer

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Keywords

  • prostate cancer
  • prostate cancer diagnosis
  • multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging (mpMRI)
  • detection of clinically significant prostate cancer
  • avoidance of over diagnosis
  • PSA
03

In context

Prostatic Neoplasms

6,370 studies on the registry are indexed under Prostatic Neoplasms; 1,400 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 1,908 is above the median of 58 across 4,822 interventional studies indexed under Prostatic Neoplasms.

Browse Prostatic Neoplasms studies →

Lead sponsor

Heinrich-Heine University, Duesseldorf is the lead sponsor of 174 studies on the registry; 52 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
50 Years to 75 Years
Sexes eligible
Male
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Men aged from 50 to 75 years
  • elevated PSA ≥ 3 ng/ml and/or cancer suspicious DRE

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Men with known prostate cancer
  • men with prior prostate biopsy
  • men with non-MRI compatible devices
  • men with acute prostatitis
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Diagnostic
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
1,908 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Arm A

    Men with PI-RADS 4/5 or PI-RADS 3 in conjunction with PSAD ≥ 0.15 that are randomized into arm A will undergo only targeted MRI/US fusion-guided biopsies. Men with PI-RADS 3 and PSAD \> 0.15 with negative biopsy results will receive a follow-up MRI after 12 months. In case of upgrade to PI-RADS 4/5, men will be re-biopsied. Men with PI-RADS 4/5 without cancer diagnosis or with clinically insignificant cancer in the subsequent biopsy will be offered an additional MRI inbore biopsy. If MRI inbore biopsy is negative or with clinically insignificant cancer, men will be followed-up with MRI after 12 months. In the case of persistent PI-RADS 4/5, men will be re-biopsied.

    Diagnostic Test: PSA test · Device: multiparametric prostate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (mpMRI) · Procedure: targeted MRI/US fusion-guided biopsy · Procedure: MRI inbore biopsy

  • Active comparator
    Arm B

    Men with PI-RADS 4/5 or PI-RADS 3 in conjunction with PSAD ≥ 0.15 that are randomized into arm B will undergo targeted MRI/US fusion-guided biopsies and systematic biopsies (standard of care). Men with PI-RADS 3 and PSAD \> 0.15 with negative biopsy results will receive a follow-up MRI after 12 months. In case of upgrade to PI-RADS 4/5, men will be re-biopsied. Men with PI-RADS 4/5 without cancer diagnosis or with clinically insignificant cancer in the subsequent biopsy will be offered an additional MRI inbore biopsy. If MRI inbore biopsy is negative or with clinically insignificant cancer, men will be followed-up with MRI after 12 months. In the case of persistent PI-RADS 4/5, men will be re-biopsied.

    Diagnostic Test: PSA test · Device: multiparametric prostate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (mpMRI) · Procedure: combined prostate biopsy (systematic biopsy plus targeted MRI/US fusion-guided biopsy) · Procedure: MRI inbore biopsy

Interventions

  • Diagnostic testPSA test

    testing for blood levels of PSA

  • Devicemultiparametric prostate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (mpMRI)

    mpMRI acquisition and reporting will be performed according to the current version of the Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS). MpMRI will be performed at the different study centers on a 3 Tesla MR scanner using multi-phased array surface coil. MpMRI includes T1-weighted and T2-weighted imaging (T1WI, T2WI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging (DCE-MRI). Hyoscine butyl bromide will be administered to optimize image quality. Prostate imaging quality will be assessed by the prostate imaging quality score (PI-QUAL). In case of contraindications to MRI contrast agents, DCE will be omitted. In case of contraindications to hyoscine butyl bromide, it will be omitted. Lesions with a PI-RADS score of ≥ 4 and 3 with PSAD \> 0.15 will considered suspicious for csPCa.

  • Proceduretargeted MRI/US fusion-guided biopsy

    Targeted MRI/US fusion-guided biopsy (TB) are performed using transrectal ultrasound (max. 4 cores from 3 targets). MRI/US fusion-guided biopsies can be performed transrectally or transperineally. Ultrasound-guided biopsies will be performed with a 3-D probe and with local or general anesthesia. Coverage with antibiotics has to be provided as per local standard of care for all biopsies.

  • Procedurecombined prostate biopsy (systematic biopsy plus targeted MRI/US fusion-guided biopsy)

    The combined biopsy comprises systematic biopsy (SB) and targeted MRI/US fusion-guided biopsy (TB). They are performed using transrectal ultrasound (number of cores: SB 12 cores, TB max. 4 cores from 3 targets). MRI/US fusion-guided biopsies can be performed transrectally or transperineally. Ultrasound-guided biopsies will be performed with a 3-D probe and with local or general anesthesia. Coverage with antibiotics has to be provided as per local standard of care for all biopsies.

  • ProcedureMRI inbore biopsy

    MRI inbore biopsies will be offered after negative initial MRI/US fusion-guided biopsy or diagnosis of only clinically insignificant PCa in initial biopsy in arms A or B. Before performing MRI inbore biopsy the PI-RADS scoring will be re-confirmed. The number of cores will be 2 per target. In case of inaccurate needle position additional cores are allowed to ensure correct targeting. Needle position will be verified in 2 planes. Coverage with antibiotics has to be provided as per local standard of care.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. detection rate of clinically significant and insignificant prostate cancers

    The composite primary endpoint comprises non-inferiority in detecting clinically significant prostate cancer (ISUP grade group ≥ 2) and superiority in avoiding detection of clinically insignificant prostate cancer (ISUP grade group 1) of TB (arm A) compared to TB+SB (arm B)

    Time frame: 48 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Pain score (Visual Analogue Scale [VAS])

    Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) - diagnostic burden in arm A and B

    Time frame: 48 months

  2. Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) - complications after biopsy

    30-day complication-rate after biopsy in arm A and B

    Time frame: 30-day

  3. Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) - quality of life according to EORTC-QLQ-C30

    quality of life according to EORTC-QLQ-C30 (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer - Quality of Life of Cancer Patientes; Scoring according to manual) in all different study arms

    Time frame: 48 months

  4. Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) - quality of life according to EPIC-26

    quality of life according to EPIC-26 (Expanded prostate cancer index composite; Scoring according to manual) in all different study arms

    Time frame: 48 months

  5. number of biopsies avoided

    Number of biopsies avoided with pre-biopsy mpMRI

    Time frame: 48 months

  6. detection rate of MRI inbore biopsy

    Detection rate of MRI inbore biopsy after negative TB

    Time frame: 48 months

  7. detection rate of biparametric MRI

    Detection rate of biparametric MRI (no perfusion imaging)

    Time frame: 48 months

  8. Number of up- and downgrading of PI-RADS score

    Number of up- and downgradings of PI-RADS (Prostate Imaging - Reporting and Data System) score in follow-up mpMRIs

    Time frame: 48 months

  9. IPSS

    International Prostate Symptom Score

    Time frame: 48 months

  10. IIEF-6

    International Index of Erectile Function

    Time frame: 48 months

07

Study locations

No study locations are listed for this record.

08

References and documents

Publications

  • Al-Monajjed R, Albers P, Boschheidgen M, Radtke JP, Droop J, Benner A, Hadaschik B, Antoch G, Schimmoller L; PRIMA Study Group. PRIMA: randomized prospective multicenter non-inferiority study for primary diagnosis of clinically significant PRostate cancer by PSA and MR IMAging-study protocol for a randomized diagnostic accuracy trial. Trials. 2026 Apr 25;27(1):320. doi: 10.1186/s13063-026-09750-z. PubMed 42032761 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Sep 26, 2025, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT04993508
Lead sponsor
Heinrich-Heine University, Duesseldorf
Collaborators
University Hospital, Aachen, University Hospital, Bonn, University Hospital of Cologne, University Hospital, Essen, University Hospital Muenster, German Cancer Research Center, Marienhospital Herne, Städtische Kliniken Mönchengladbach, Evangelische Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Klinikum Dortmund, Stiftungsklinikum PROSELIS gGmbH Recklinghausen
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Aug 6, 2021
Start date
Apr 1, 2026 (estimated)
Primary completion
Mar 31, 2030 (estimated)
Completion
Mar 31, 2030 (estimated)
Last update
Sep 26, 2025

Study contacts

Johanna Droop, PhD
Contact
johanna.droop@med.uni-duesseldorf.de
+49 0211 81 19414
Rouvier Al-Monajjed, MD
Contact
rouvier.al-monajjed@med.uni-duesseldorf.de
+49 0211 81 18110
Rouvier Al-Monajjed, MD
principal investigator · Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf / Urology
Lars Schimmöller, MD
principal investigator · Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf / Radiology
Peter Albers, MD
study chair · Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf / Urology
Gerald Antoch, MD
study chair · Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf / Radiology
Matthias Boschheidgen, MD
study chair · Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf / Radiology
Jan Philipp Radtke, MD
study chair · Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf / Urology
Axel Benner
study chair · German Cancer Research Center / Biostatistics
Boris Hadaschik, MD
study chair · University Hospital Essen / Urology

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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