Evaluation of 99mTc-labeled PSMA-SPECT/CT imaging in prostate cancer patients who have undergone biochemical relapse

Asian J Androl. 2017 May-Jun;19(3):267-271. doi: 10.4103/1008-682X.192638.

Abstract

Using conventional imaging modalities, it is difficult to detect recurrent lesions in prostate cancer patients who have undergone biochemical relapse, especially in patients with low prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. We retrospectively reviewed the files of fifty patients with histopathologically confirmed prostate cancer who underwent 99mTc-labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and bone scan within a 30-day period. PSMA-SPECT/CT indicated metastatic lesions in 39 patients and had a higher detection rate (78.0%) than bone scan (34.0%) or MRI (40.0%). The diagnostic efficiency of PSMA-SPECT/CT imaging for bone and lymph node metastases (50.0% and 42.0%) was better than bone scan (34.0% and 0.0%) or MRI (24.0% and 20.0%). PSMA-SPECT/CT provided a higher detection rate at serum PSA levels of ≤1 ng ml-1, 1-4 ng ml-1, 4-10 ng ml-1, and >10 ng ml-1. No correlation was found between Gleason score, PSA level, and the tracer tumor/background ratio of metastatic lesions. With the aid of PSMA-SPECT/CT imaging, the therapeutic strategy was changed for 31 patients, and this may have enhanced their clinical outcome. In conclusion, PSMA-SPECT/CT imaging could detect more metastatic lesions and achieve a higher detection rate than conventional imaging modalities at different serum PSA levels in prostate cancer patients who had undergone biochemical relapse.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Surface*
  • Bone and Bones / diagnostic imaging
  • Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II*
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / diagnostic imaging
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Grading
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / therapy
  • Radiopharmaceuticals*
  • Recurrence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Antigens, Surface
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • FOLH1 protein, human
  • Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II