How reliable is the high-volume definition in prostate cancer patients: the potential game-changing role of PSMA

Nucl Med Commun. 2023 Sep 1;44(9):816-824. doi: 10.1097/MNM.0000000000001722. Epub 2023 Jun 16.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate whether metabolic and volumetric data from 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT performed during staging of de-novo high-volume mCSPC patients who received docetaxel could be used to predict survival.

Methods: Forty-two de-novo high-volume mCSPC patients, who received ADT + Docetaxel and underwent 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT for staging, were included in the study. The association between patients' pathological data, all PSA measurements, treatments they received, the data obtained from 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT and progression-free and overall survival were examined.

Results: In the multivariate analysis, PSMA-TV (primary) and PSMA-TV (WB) variables were shown to be independent negative predictors of overall survival. For the threshold value of 19.91 cm 3 obtained for PSMA-TV (primary), HR was calculated as 6.31, the 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-39.18, P = 0.048. For the threshold value of 1226.5 cm 3 obtained for PSMA-TV (WB) variable, HR was calculated as 58.62, the 95% CI: 2.55-1344.43, P = 0.011. In our study, SUVmax (WB) variable was found to be an independent and negative predictor of progression-free survival. For the determined threshold value of 17.74, HR was calculated as 16.24, 95% CI: 1.18-22.76, P = 0.037.

Conclusion: Metabolic and volumetric data obtained from 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT can be used to predict survival in de-novo high-volume mCSPC. Our results show that in ADT + Docetaxel receiving patients, a subgroup with higher PSMA-TV (WB) values have a significantly worse prognosis. This situation suggests that the high-volume disease definition in the literature may be insufficient for this group, and that 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT can play an essential role in demonstrating the heterogeneity within the group.

MeSH terms

  • Docetaxel / therapeutic use
  • Gallium Isotopes
  • Gallium Radioisotopes
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Oligopeptides
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography* / methods
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Docetaxel
  • Gallium Isotopes
  • Oligopeptides
  • Gallium-68
  • Gallium Radioisotopes