Phase 3 trial shows pre- and post-surgery hormone therapy improves outcomes for high-risk prostate cancer

A phase 3 study called PROTEUS evaluated high‑risk, early‑stage prostate cancer patients who were scheduled for surgery. The trial compared a regimen that gave two hormone therapies before and after the operation with a regimen that used only one hormone therapy in the same time frame.

The results indicated that the combined hormone approach led to better outcomes than the single‑hormone strategy, suggesting a lower chance of disease recurrence after surgery. Researchers said the data support adding this dual hormone treatment as a viable third option alongside the traditional surgery‑only or radiation‑plus‑hormone pathways.

Oncologists interviewed after the trial described the findings as a potential new standard of care, with some calling it a watershed moment for the treatment of high‑risk prostate cancer.