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A Phase IIA Exploratory, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial of Pomegranate Fruit Extract/POMx™ in Subjects with Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer Undergoing Active Surveillance

Eligibility Criteria


Inclusion Criteria

  • Participants must have had a standard-of-care biopsy within 13 months of the baseline study visit and must have been diagnosed with low-grade, clinically localized prostate cancer (Gleason Score ≤ 3+3 with a PSA at baseline <10ng/ml in participants <70 years of age, OR Gleason Score ≤3+4 with a PSA at baseline ≤15ng/ml in participants ≥70 years of age). Eligible participants will be those men who are able and willing to undergo AS with PSA monitoring and a scheduled biopsy performed at the end of the study.
  • No concurrent treatment (hormonal, radiation or systemic chemotherapy) for prostate cancer during study enrollment is planned (unless participants demonstrate clinical evidence of prostate cancer progression such as symptoms, physical exam findings, a rapidly increasing PSA, or radiologic findings which confirm disease progression).
  • Age ≥21 years. Because no dosing or adverse event data are currently available on the use of POMx™ in participants <21 years of age, children are excluded from this study.
  • ECOG performance status ≤1.
  • Participants must have normal organ and marrow function as defined below:
    • Hematologic:
      • WBC ≥ 3000/mm3
      • platelets ≥ 100,000mm3
      • hemoglobin ≥10 g/dL
    • Hepatic:
      • Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x upper limit of institutional normal
      • alkaline phosphatase ≤ 1.5 x upper limit of institutional normal
      • AST ≤1.5 x upper limit of institutional normal
      • ALT ≤1.5 x upper limit of institutional normal
    • Renal:
      • Serum creatinine within 1.5 x upper limit of institutional normal
    • Electrolytes:
      • Sodium 135-144 mmol/L (inclusive)
      • Potassium 3.2-4.8 mmol/L (inclusive)
  • The effects of PFE on the developing human fetus at the recommended therapeutic dose are unknown. For this reason, participants will be required to use a medically-approved method of birth control or abstinence if their sexual partner is of child-bearing potential.
  • Participants must be willing to forego foods, beverages and supplements containing pomegranate for the duration of the study.
  • Ability to understand, and the willingness to sign, a written informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Any prior surgery to the prostate within 30 days of baseline procedures. NOTE: Biopsies are not considered surgeries.
  • Evidence of other cancer(s) (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) within last 5 years.
  • Prior pelvic radiation for any reason.
  • Participants cannot be taking 5-α-reductase inhibitors while on study or within 6 months of the baseline study visit.
  • Participants may not be taking carbamazepine (tegretol).
  • Participants may not be receiving any other investigational agents.
  • History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to PFE.
  • Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.
  • Any significant cardiac event(s) within the 12 months prior to registration, such as episode(s) of symptomatic congestive heart failure; myocardial infarction; unstable angina pectoris or persistent, stable angina pectoris; or cardiac arrhythmia requiring medication.