Published in:
01-07-2015 | Original Article
68Ga-PSMA PET/CT for restaging recurrent prostate cancer: which factors are associated with PET/CT detection rate?
Authors:
Francesco Ceci, Christian Uprimny, Bernhard Nilica, Llanos Geraldo, Dorota Kendler, Alexander Kroiss, Jasmin Bektic, Wolfgang Horninger, Peter Lukas, Clemens Decristoforo, Paolo Castellucci, Stefano Fanti, Irene J. Virgolini
Published in:
European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
|
Issue 8/2015
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Abstract
Purpose
To assess the association between PSA levels, PSA kinetics and other factors and a pathological 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT scan in patients with recurrent prostate cancer (rPCa) with biochemical relapse (BR) after radical therapy.
Methods
Seventy consecutive rPCA patients referred for 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT, matching all the following criteria, were retrospectively evaluated: (a) previous radical prostatectomy or primary radiotherapy with curative intent; (b) BR or persisting high PSA levels after primary treatment; and (c) complete clinical and imaging information. The mean ± SD PSA level was 3.5 ± 5.3 ng/mL (median 1.7, range 0.2 – 32.2 ng/mL), the mean ± SD PSA doubling time (PSAdt) was 6.5 ± 5.5 months (median 5.5, range 1.3 – 31.6 months), and the mean ± SD PSA velocity was 7.9 ± 20.5 (median 2.1, range 0.2 – 147.5 ng/mL/year). Statistical analysis was performed to assess which factors were associated with the detection of rPCa on 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT.
Results
68Ga-PSMA PET/CT was positive in 52 of 70 patients (74.2 %). In 30 patients (42.8 %) lesions limited to the pelvis were detected. Distant lesions were observed in 8 of patients (11.4 %). Local plus systemic lesions were detected in 14 patients (20 %). PSA level (p = 0.017) and PSAdt (p = 0.0001) were significantly different between PET-positive patients (higher PSA level, shorter PSAdt) and PET-negative patients (lower PSA, longer PSAdt). ROC analysis showed that PSAdt 6.5 months and PSA 0.83 ng/mL were optimal cut-off values. In multivariate analysis PSAdt was associated with 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT positivity. 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT was positive in 17 of 20 patients (85 %) with PSA <2 ng/mL and PSAdt <6.5 months, and in 3 of 16 patients (18.7 %) with PSA <2 ng/mL and PSAdt ≥6.5 months.
Conclusion
The great potential of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in patients with rPCa and BR was confirmed. PSA and PSAdt were valuable predictors of pathological 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT findings.