STAT+: For prostate cancer patients set on surgery, new hormone regimen may improve outcomes, study finds

STAT PlusBiotech For prostate cancer patients set on surgery, new hormone regimen may improve outcomes, study finds Protocol could become a third option for high risk, early stage cases Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Angus ChenMay 31, 2026 Cancer Reporter Angus Chen[email protected]Angus reports on the basic research, clinical science, and drug development that may transform survival and quality of life for patients, as well as developments affecting the cancer community. You can reach Angus on Signal at angus.08. CHICAGO — Patients with high risk prostate cancer that hasn’t spread typically have two standard treatment paths before them. Remove the prostate surgically, or do a combination of radiation therapy and hormone therapy. Now, with the results of a new phase 3 clinical trial, some oncologists believe a third option may soon be laid on the table: surgery with hormone therapy both before and after the operation. The study, called the PROTEUS trial, found that combining two hormone therapies both before and after surgery was superior to just one hormone therapy before and after surgery in high risk, early stage prostate cases. Advertisement There is a range in how prostate cancer experts are interpreting the results, however. Many told STAT that they believed it would lead to a new standard of care, with Emmanual Antonarakis, a genitourinary medical oncologist at the University of Minnesota, calling it a “watershed moment” in prostate cancer in a New England Journal of Medicine editorial. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus daily coverage and analysis of the biotech sector — by subscribing to STAT+. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In ASCO, biotechnology, Cancer, men and boys’ health, Pharmaceuticals, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Angus Chen Cancer Reporter Angus reports on the basic research, clinical science, and drug development that may transform survival and quality of life for patients, as well as developments affecting the cancer community. You can reach Angus on Signal at angus.08. Newsletter Critical updates on the fast-moving world of cancer research, treatment, and patient care Recommended Biotech May 31, 2026 STAT Plus: Practice-changing results reported for Revolution Medicines pancreatic cancer drug Biotech May 31, 2026 STAT Plus: Akeso and Summit’s ivonescimab extends survival in squamous cell lung cancer Advertisement Biotech May 30, 2026 STAT Plus: BioNTech and Pfizer tout bispecifics data at ASCO, and Pazdur sees silver lining at FDA Biotech May 30, 2026 STAT Plus: China competition, ‘destruction’ at FDA give agency chance to restructure, Rick Pazdur says Biotech May 30, 2026 STAT Plus: Revolution Medicines starts shipping experimental pancreatic cancer drug Subscriber Picks