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Trial protocol evaluates micro-ultrasound as a non-inferior alternative to mpMRI for prostate cancer screeningTrial Plans to Compare Micro-Ultrasound and MRI for Prostate Cancer

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Key Takeaway
Note that this is a trial protocol; no results or clinical data are currently available for micro-ultrasound.

This Phase 3 trial protocol describes a study involving 1284 biopsy- and imaging-naïev men at risk for Grade Group ≥ 2 prostate cancer. The study is designed to evaluate the efficacy of micro-ultrasound (microUS) compared to multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) as a tool for informing biopsy decisions.

The primary outcome is the detection of Grade Group ≥ 2. Secondary outcomes include the comparison of Grade Group ≥ 2 detection rates in targeted cores among patients with PRI-MUS or PI-RADS scores of 3-5, the proportion of men who defer biopsy but are diagnosed with Grade Group ≥ 2 within 8 years, the negative predictive value of each imaging modality, and health economic analyses.

Because this is a trial protocol, no results, safety data, or tolerability metrics have been reported. The study's primary purpose is to determine if microUS is a non-inferior alternative to mpMRI for prostate cancer screening. Clinical application is currently limited as the study has not yet yielded data.

How this fits prior evidence

How this fits prior evidence: This trial protocol addresses a gap in imaging modalities for prostate cancer screening. It specifically evaluates micro-ultrasound as a potential alternative to mpMRI. This follows prior coverage of PSMA PET-CT, which helped 49% of men avoid biopsy, and a trial protocol for 9-month ADT plus ARTA for high-risk prostate cancer where no clinical outcomes are currently available.

A large clinical trial is being planned to compare two different imaging methods for prostate cancer screening. The study will involve 1,284 men who are at risk for high-grade prostate cancer. Researchers want to see if micro-ultrasound (microUS) can perform as well as multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) when deciding if a biopsy is needed.

The main goal is to see if micro-ultrasound can accurately identify significant cancer. The study will also look at how many men can safely delay a biopsy and the overall accuracy of both imaging types. These findings could help doctors decide which tools are best for screening patients.

It is important to note that this is currently a trial protocol. This means the study has been designed and planned, but the results have not been collected or reported yet. Because no data is available yet, these findings cannot change current medical practices at this time.

What this means for you:
This is a planned study; results are not yet available to determine if micro-ultrasound is an effective alternative.

Study Details

Study typeRct
EvidenceLevel 2
PublishedSep 2026
View Original Abstract ↓
BACKGROUND: Micro-ultrasound (microUS) represents a potential alternative to multiparametric magnetic resonance (mpMRI) in guiding prostate biopsy, with level 1 evidence demonstrating non-inferiority to detect Grade Group ≥2 (GG ≥ 2) prostate cancer in biopsy-naïve men. However, a critical gap remains in the screening pathway, in which imaging is needed to identify men at risk and determine whether biopsy is warranted. METHODS: MUSIC-Screen is a phase 3, open-label, noninferiority 1:1 randomized controlled trial evaluating microUS as an alternative imaging compared to mpMRI for determining the need for prostate biopsy in biopsy- and imaging- naïve men at risk for GG ≥ 2. A total of 1284 men will be randomized to undergo either microUS or mpMRI. Men with PRI-MUS 3-5 or PI-RADS 3-5 lesion will undergo targeted and systematic biopsy. Men with negative imaging and PSA density ≥ 0.15 will undergo systematic biopsy, while those with PSA density < 0.15 will defer biopsy. RESULTS: The primary outcome is GG ≥ 2 detection in each study arm. The primary hypothesis is that microUS is non-inferior to mpMRI for screening and detection of GG ≥ 2. Secondary objectives include comparison of GG ≥ 2 detection rates in targeted cores among patients with PRI-MUS or PI-RADS scores of 3-5, proportion of men who defer biopsy but are diagnosed with GG ≥ 2 within 8 years, assessment of the negative predictive value of each imaging modality, and health economic analyses. CONCLUSION: MUSIC-Screen will determine whether microUS can be used as an imaging modality to inform biopsy decision making that is non-inferior to mpMRI for GG ≥ 2 prostate cancer detection. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06626022.
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