Hormone-blocking prostate cancer trial opens at The Christie
WHO: Professor Ananya Choudhury and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
WHAT: Launch of the ENHANCE clinical trial for reduced-dose hormone therapy
WHERE: Manchester and hospitals across the UK
WHEN: 11 March 2026
WHY: To maintain cancer control while reducing side effects like fatigue and hot flushes
A new reduced dose prostate cancer trial at The Christie aims to improve life quality for 1,500 men nationwide.
Launching the reduced dose prostate cancer trial
Researchers are investigating whether halving the dose of common hormone therapies can offer the same life-extending benefits. Current drugs like abiraterone and enzalutamide are highly effective at blocking cancer growth.
However, these treatments often cause debilitating side effects. Patients frequently report extreme fatigue, hot flushes, and high blood pressure.
The ENHANCE study has received £3.2 million in funding from Cancer Research UK and Prostate Cancer UK. It will recruit 1,500 men from various hospitals across the country.
The Christie is the largest single-site cancer centre in Europe. It treats more than 60,000 patients every year and leads international clinical research.
A key goal of the study is ensuring diverse representation. At least 10% of participants will be Black men, who are often underrepresented in clinical research.
Jonathan Edwards, an 80-year-old retired solicitor from Cheshire, has already seen the benefits of a lower dose. He was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in late 2024.
Jonathan Edwards said: “The side effects made me extremely tired; I was sleeping through the day on and off and I had frequent hot flushes and generally felt weak.”
When his clinical nurse reduced his medication dose, his energy levels returned. His PSA levels remained undetectable despite the lower amount of drugs.
Jonathan added: “My life has been transformed by the medication, my energy levels are higher, and I can socialise as normal.”
Professor Ananya Choudhury, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at The Christie, is leading the national trial. She believes the research could change international guidelines by 2030.
Professor Ananya Choudhury said: “By making treatment more tolerable, we hope more patients will be able to stay on therapy for longer and gain the full benefit.”
Clinicians aim to balance effective cancer treatment with the best possible quality of life. Manchester researchers previously helped prove the effectiveness of these hormone drugs years ago.
If the trial is successful, it could fundamentally change how the NHS prescribes these medications. This would allow men to live more active lives during their treatment cycle.
Jonathan is now able to exercise more and plan trips without needing afternoon sleep. He expressed delight that this trial might help other men stay active and healthy.
OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION:
This report is based on official clinical data from The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
Document: Hormone-blocking prostate cancer trial opens at The Christie
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