IRONMAN is a worldwide research study following men with advanced prostate cancer to better understand their treatment, health, and experiences.
Over the past 10 years, treatment for advanced prostate cancer has improved a lot. There are now several effective medicines that can help men live longer and feel better. However, doctors still face important questions, such as:
- Why do some men respond very well to treatment while others don’t?
- Which treatment should be given first, and in what order?
- Are there biomarkers (special signals in the blood or cancer) that can help choose the best treatment for each individual?
- What is life really like for men living with advanced prostate cancer?
The IRONMAN study aims to help answer these questions by collecting real‑world information from men across the globe.
What the study involves- No new treatment or experimental drugs are given.
- Instead, the study collects information about your cancer, treatments, symptoms, and quality of life as part of your routine care.
- The study will also look at biomarkers in blood samples to explore whether they can guide treatment decisions in the future.
Around 5,000 men worldwide will join the study, including participants from the UK, US, Canada, Brazil, Australia, and several European countries. All are being cared for at hospitals that treat advanced prostate cancer.
What you can expect- You’ll visit the hospital every 3 months, usually at the same time as your routine appointments.
- Blood samples for biomarker research will be taken:
- When you join the study
- After 1 year
- Each time your prostate cancer treatment changes
- You’ll be followed for at least 3 years.
By collecting this information, researchers hope to:
- Understand how treatments are being used around the world
- See which treatment sequences work best and for whom
- Identify biomarkers that can help personalise treatment
- Learn more about the day‑to‑day experiences of men with advanced prostate cancer, including areas where extra support might be needed
In simple terms: IRONMAN is helping doctors build a clearer picture of how advanced prostate cancer is treated in real life, so future patients can receive more personalised, effective care.