A clinical trial named INSPIRE will recruit 136 patients with localised prostate cancer from cancer centres across Ireland, including Belfast and Londonderry, over the next two years.

The study tests stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), delivered in five sessions over one and a half weeks. Researchers developed a refined SABR method that increases radiation to the tumour and decreases it to nearby healthy tissues. A protective gel spacer further lowers radiation to surrounding organs.

Suneil Jain, clinical professor at the Johnston Centre for Cancer Research at Queen’s University Belfast and co-chief investigator, stated that over 5,000 men receive prostate cancer diagnoses yearly across Ireland. He noted the trial's goal to reduce urinary, bowel and sexual side-effects while maintaining cancer control.

The INSPIRE study links centres in Belfast and Londonderry with those in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. It also assesses genetic and biological factors to predict side-effect risks for personalised care.

Cancer Trials Ireland sponsors the trial, with funding from Teleflex and support from the Irish Research Radiation Oncology Group.