Association between prostate specific membrane antigen imaging and initial treatment for prostate cancer among commercial insurance beneficiaries.
577 Background: Prostate specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (PSMA-PET) increases the detection of metastatic prostate cancer relative to conventional imaging. To understand whether PSMA-PET is associated with greater use of therapies for metastatic disease we evaluated initial treatment among contemporary commercial insurance beneficiaries undergoing staging evaluation for prostate cancer. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study among Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance beneficiaries with an incident diagnosis of prostate cancer from July 1st, 2021, through March 31, 2023, who received either PSMA-PET or bone scintigraphy imaging in the six-month period before and after diagnosis based on billing codes. The primary study outcome was the receipt of androgen pathway receptor inhibitor (ARPI) therapy in the one-year period following diagnosis using national drug codes. Secondary outcomes included local therapy and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) use. Chi-square (χ²) tests were used to compare distributions of treatment by imaging modality. We used mixed effects logistic regression to examine the association between imaging modality (PSMA-PET versus bone scan) and initial treatment, accounting for beneficiary age, diagnosis period, comorbidity, frailty, local therapy, census region, and social deprivation index for clustering of beneficiaries within hospital referral regions. Results: Among 4,952 beneficiaries newly diagnosed with prostate cancer, 3,690 received bone scans and 1,262 received PSMA-PET imaging. The median age in both groups was 62 years. Patients receiving PSMA-PET were less likely to undergo radical prostatectomy. (40.8% versus 48.1%, χ² p<0.001) than beneficiaries imaged with bone scan. Receipt of ARPI was more common among beneficiaries who received a PSMA-PET scan (25.0%) versus bone scan (9.7%, χ² p<0.001). ADT use was also more common in PSMA-PET imaged versus bone scan imaged individuals (58.9% versus 39.4%, χ² p<0.001). PSMA-PET was independently associated with use of initial ARPI therapy, (odds ratio vs bone scan: 3.83, 95% confidence interval 3.11-4.71, p<0.001). Conclusions: In this claims-based study of a single large U.S. commercial health insurer, receipt of PSMA-PET was associated with increased use of therapies for metastatic prostate cancer. These findings highlight the growing role of molecular imaging in the diagnostic landscape of prostate cancer, and support further efforts to estimate effects of imaging on clinical outcomes and healthcare costs.
- # Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography
- # Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography Imaging
- # Androgen Deprivation Therapy Use
- # Specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission
- # Initial Treatment For Prostate Cancer
- # Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography
- # Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen Positron
- # Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen Imaging
- # Androgen Deprivation Therapy
- # Prostate Cancer
- Research Article
1
- 10.1200/jco.2024.42.4_suppl.34
- Feb 1, 2024
- Journal of Clinical Oncology
34 Background: Prostate specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (PSMA-PET) imaging improves prostate cancer visualization and has been proposed as a tool to guide treatment decisions. As PSMA-PET imaging agents were not approved in the United States (US) until December 2020, little is known about national patterns of PET imaging utilization. Methods: We conducted a dynamic cohort study to evaluate use of PET imaging among insurance beneficiaries aged 40-89 years with a diagnosis of prostate cancer using deidentified administrative claims from Blue Cross Blue Shield Axis. We calculated the proportions of patients undergoing PET imaging in semiannual periods from January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2022, examining tracers specific to prostate cancer, including PSMA-targeted agents as well as fluciclovine, sodium fluoride, and choline tracers. Cochran-Armitage tests were used to evaluate trends in the proportion of individuals receiving PET imaging over time. We also assessed the association between regional [hospital referral region (HRR)] level contextual sociodemographic and healthcare characteristics and regional use of PSMA-PET imaging in 2022 using chi-square tests. Results: There were 410,505 beneficiaries with prostate cancer identified in the study period. The semiannual proportion of patients undergoing PET imaging increased from 4.5 [(95% confidence interval (CI) 4.1-5.0] per 1,000 in the first half of 2016 to 41.7 (95% CI 40.6-42.9) per 1,000 in the second half of 2022, p<0.001. Increases in PET imaging were driven by uptake of PSMA-PET imaging, which increased from 0.7 (95% CI 0.6-0.9) per 1000 in the second half of 2021 to 37.5 (95% CI 36.4-38.6) per 1,000 in the second half of 2022, p<0.001. Following approvals of PSMA-PET agents, other forms of PET imaging rapidly decreased – from 18.2 (95% CI 17.4-18.9) per 1000 in the second half of 2021 to 4.6 (95% CI 4.3-5.0) per 1,000 in the same period of 2022, p<0.001. Compared to HRRs in quartile 1 (Q1), HRRs in Q4 of PSMA-PET use in 2022 had higher levels of education (25.0% with college education or higher in Q1 versus 29.4% in Q4, p=0.005) and median household income ($50,200 in Q1 versus $60,900 in Q4, p<0.001). Conclusions: In this study from a large commercial US health insurer, PSMA-PET was rapidly incorporated into clinical practice and is now the dominant prostate cancer radiotracer. However, the initial uptake of PSMA-PET may be accompanied by disparity, as our data suggests less use in areas with lower income and education measures.
- Research Article
4
- 10.1200/jco.2021.39.6_suppl.30
- Feb 20, 2021
- Journal of Clinical Oncology
30 Background: The purpose of this trial is to evaluate the success rate of salvage radiation therapy (SRT) for recurrence of prostate cancer (PCa) after radical prostatectomy with and without planning based on prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET). Methods: This is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled, open-label, Phase 3 clinical imaging trial powered for clinical outcome at 5 years. UCLA is the leading central site in which PSMA PET, clinical follow-up and data management are being done. UCSF was a participating site in which PSMA PET imaging can be done. SRT can be performed anywhere, patients are followed remotely by the UCLA investigators. Patients scheduled for SRT for recurrence after primary prostatectomy and with PSA ≥ 0.1ng/ml at time of enrollment were eligible. Patients were randomized to proceed with standard SRT allowing for any conventional imaging aside from PSMA PET/CT (control arm) or undergo a 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT scan prior to SRT planning (investigational arm). The primary endpoint is the success rate of SRT at 5 years in patients who undergo SRT. We report here the preliminary results of a secondary endpoint: the impact of PSMA PET on SRT planning by comparing the pre-randomization RT plans prospectively obtained on surveys before randomization to the actually delivered RT plans obtained after follow-up. Results: Enrollment of the trial was complete. 193 patients were enrolled from 09.06.2018 to 08.17.2020. 7/90 patients (9%) in the control arm dropped-out the study because they underwent a PSMA PET at another institution, while 1/103 (1%) patients of the intervention arm dropped-out due to COVID-19 related complications. After a median follow-up of 13.3 months (last follow-up date 09/01/2020), delivered RT plans were obtained in 60/83 (72%) and 70/102 (69%) of patients of the control and the PSMA arms, respectively. Median PSA at enrollment was 0.32 ng/ml (IQR 0.17-1.35) and 0.22 ng/ml (IQR 0.14-0.50) in the control and PSMA arms, respectively. There was a change between the intended pre-randomization RT plan and the actually delivered RT plan in 17/60 (28%) and 40/70 (57%) of the patients in the control and PSMA arms, respectively (p = 0.002). SRT was aborted in favor of systemic therapy and/or metastasis directed RT for extra-pelvic M1 disease in 2/60 (3%) and 12/70 (17%) of the control and PSMA arms, respectively (p = 0.17). Dose prescription and/or target volume delineation was changed in 2/60 (3%) and 1/70 (26%) in the control and PSMA arms, respectively (p = 0.001). Conclusions: In this prospective randomized phase 3 study, PSMA PET had an impact on the SRT plan in more than half of the patients. Long-term follow-up will show if the impact of PSMA PET on SRT planning translates into improved outcome or not. Clinical trial information: NCT03582774.
- Supplementary Content
15
- 10.3390/cancers14153585
- Jul 22, 2022
- Cancers
Simple SummaryAdenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and other salivary gland cancers (SGC) are rare conditions with limited treatment options when they recur or spread to other parts of the body. There is increasing interest in the interaction of radioactive labeled proteins 68Gallium- Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (68Ga-PSMA) with their corresponding receptors on tumor cells (PSMA receptor) which can be detected on scans. This innovation has created diagnostic and therapeutic progress in management of metastatic prostate cancer. These interactions are also found in SGCs though studies are currently limited. Our systematic review aims to collate available published scientific information on this technology to better inform its potential use, pitfalls and its future directions as a diagnostic and therapeutic option in SGCs. We concluded that the 68Ga-PSMA scans can be useful in detecting ACC and SGC not detected on standard radioimaging and that small studies have shown the therapeutic potential of this innovation in advanced or metastatic ACC and SGC.Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and other salivary gland cancers (SGCs) are rare tumors where application of prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET) and PSMA radioligand therapy have yet to be studied extensively. This review explores the role of PSMA PET imaging and therapy as a theranostic tool for ACC and other SGCs based on current literature. A comprehensive literature search on PubMed and Embase was performed. All relevant studies containing information on PSMA PET imaging in ACC and SGC were included. Ten studies (one prospective, three retrospective, five case reports and one review paper) were included. For ACC, the mean maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) for local recurrence and distant metastases ranged from 2.41 to 13.8 and 2.04 to 14.9, respectively. In SGC, the meanSUVmax ranged from 1.2–12.50. Most studies observed PSMA expression positivity on immunohistochemistry (IHC) when there was PSMA PET uptake. PSMA PET was able to detect lesions not detected on standard imaging. Despite the small number of studies and wide intra-patient and inter-tumor variation of PSMA uptake in ACC and SGC, 68Gallium (68Ga)-PSMA PET has promising prospects as a diagnostic and radioligand therapeutic option. Further studies to answer the various theranostics considerations are required to guide its use in the real-world setting.
- Research Article
106
- 10.1016/j.eururo.2023.03.001
- Apr 7, 2023
- European urology
Head-to-head Comparison of the Diagnostic Accuracy of Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography and Conventional Imaging Modalities for Initial Staging of Intermediate- to High-risk Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
- Research Article
3
- 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.40591
- Oct 23, 2024
- JAMA Network Open
Although prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (PSMA-PET) has shown improved sensitivity and specificity compared with conventional imaging for the detection of biochemical recurrent (BCR) prostate cancer, the long-term outcomes of a widespread shift in imaging are unknown. To estimate long-term outcomes of integrating PSMA-PET into the staging pathway for recurrent prostate cancer. This decision analytic modeling study simulated outcomes for patients with BCR following initial definitive local therapy. Inputs used were from the literature and a retrospective cohort study conducted at 2 institutions. The base case analysis assumed modest benefits of earlier detection and treatment, and scenario analyses considered prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level at imaging and different outcomes of earlier vs delayed treatment. The analysis was performed between April 1, 2023, and May 1, 2024. (1) Immediate PSMA-PET imaging, (2) conventional imaging (computed tomography and bone scan [CTBS]) followed by PSMA-PET if CTBS findings were negative or equivocal, and (3) CTBS alone. The main outcomes were detection of metastases, deaths from prostate cancer, and life-years and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained. The model estimated that per 1000 simulated patients with BCR (assumed median age, 66 years), PSMA-PET is expected to diagnose 611 (95% uncertainty interval [UI], 565-656) patients with metastasis compared with 630 (95% UI, 586-675) patients diagnosed using CTBS followed by PSMA-PET and 297 (95% UI, 202-410) patients diagnosed using CTBS alone. Moreover, the estimated number of prostate cancer deaths was 512 (95% UI, 472-552 deaths) with PSMA-PET, 520 (95% UI, 480-559 deaths) with CTBS followed by PSMA-PET, and 587 (95% UI, 538-632 deaths) with CTBS alone. Imaging with PSMA-PET yielded the highest number of QALYs, which were 824 (95% UI, 698-885) higher than CTBS. These results differed by PSA level at the time of testing, with the highest incremental life-years and QALYs and lowest number of deaths from prostate cancer among patients with PSA levels of at least 5.0 ng/mL. Finally, the estimates were sensitive to the expected benefit of initiating therapy for recurrent prostate cancer earlier in the disease course. The results of this decision-analytic model suggest that upfront PSMA-PET imaging for the evaluation of BCR is expected to be associated with reduced cancer mortality and gains in life-years and QALYs compared with the conventional imaging strategy, assuming modest benefits of earlier detection and treatment.
- Research Article
14
- 10.1016/j.euo.2023.06.002
- Jul 8, 2023
- European Urology Oncology
The Impact of Positron Emission Tomography Imaging and Tumor Molecular Profiling on Risk Stratification, Treatment Choice, and Oncological Outcomes of Patients with Primary or Relapsed Prostate Cancer: An International Collaborative Review of the Existing Literature
- Research Article
- 10.1200/jco.2022.40.16_suppl.5009
- Jun 1, 2022
- Journal of Clinical Oncology
5009 Background: Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron-emission tomography (PET) allows detection of small and/or atypically localized metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) lesions. In a subset of patients with recurrent oligometastatic PCa salvage surgery with PSMA-targeted radioguidance (PSMA-RGS) may be of value. We aimed to evaluate the oncological outcomes of salvage PSMA-RGS for oligo-recurrent PCa and determine predictive preoperative factors of improved outcomes. Methods: In this cohort study within two tertiary care centers, patients with biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP) and imaging with PSMA PET receiving salvage PSMA-RGS between 2014 and 2020 were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox regression models adjusted for various parameters were used to test for BCR-free survival (BFS) and therapy-free survival (TFS) differences. Postoperative complications were classified according to Clavien-Dindo. Results: Overall, 364 patients were assessed. At PSMA-RGS, median (IQR) age and preoperative PSA was 67 (61-71) years and 1.0 (0.5-1.9) ng/ml. Metastatic soft-tissue lesions from PCa metastases could be removed in 343 (94.2%) patients. Within three months from surgery, 24 (6.6%) patients suffered from Clavien-Dindo complications grade III-IV. During follow-up, 225 patients experienced BCR and 121 patients received further therapy. Median follow-up for patients who did not experience BCR and who did not receive further therapy was 10.8 months and 10.3 months, respectively. Median (IQR) BFS and TFS was 7.8 (5.4-10.5) and 35.5 months (25.9-45.9 months). At two years of follow-up, BFS rate was 31.9% and TFS rate was 58.0%. In multivariable analyses, higher preoperative PSA (HR: 1.1), higher number of PSMA-avid lesions on preoperative imaging (HR: 1.2) and multiple (pelvic plus retroperitoneal) localizations (HR: 1.9), as well as retroperitoneal localization (HR: 2.0) of lesions in PSMA PET imaging were independent predictors of BCR after PSMA-RGS. Limitations are the retrospective design and lack of a control group. Conclusions: As salvage surgery in oligo-recurrent PCa currently constitutes an experimental treatment approach careful patient selection is mandatory based on life expectancy, low PSA values and low number of PSMA PET avid lesions located in the pelvis. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings and define the oncological value of salvage surgical procedures in oligo-recurrent PCa.
- Research Article
- 10.1200/jco.2022.40.6_suppl.106
- Feb 20, 2022
- Journal of Clinical Oncology
106 Background: Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron-emission tomography (PET) allows detection of small and/or atypically localized metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) lesions. In a subset of patients with recurrent oligometastatic PCa salvage surgery with PSMA-targeted radioguidance (PSMA-RGS) may be of value. We aimed to evaluate the oncological outcomes of salvage PSMA-RGS for oligorecurrent PCa and determine predictive preoperative factors of improved outcomes. Methods: In this cohort study within two tertiary care centers, patients with biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP) and imaging with PSMA PET receiving salvage PSMA-RGS between 2014 and 2020 were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox regression models adjusted for various parameters were used to test for BCR-free survival (BFS) and therapy-free survival (TFS) differences. Postoperative complications were classified according to Clavien-Dindo. Results: Overall, 364 patients were assessed. At PSMA-RGS, median (IQR) age and preoperative PSA was 67 (61-71) years and 1.0 (0.5-1.9) ng/ml. Metastatic soft-tissue lesions were removed in 356 (94.4%) patients. Within three months from surgery, 25 (6.6%) patients suffered from Clavien-Dindo complications grade III-IV. During follow-up, 235 patients experienced BCR and 129 patients received further therapy. Median follow-up for patients who did not experience BCR and who did not receive further therapy was 11.1 months and 10.5 months, respectively. Median (IQR) BFS and TFS was 7.8 (5.4-10.9) and 34.9 (24.7-43.5) months. At two years of follow-up, BFS rate was 31.9% and TFS rate was 56.6%. In multivariable analyses, higher preoperative PSA (HR: 1.06), higher number of PSMA-avid lesions on preoperative imaging (HR: 1.2) and multiple (pelvic plus retroperitoneal) localizations (HR: 1.7), as well as retroperitoneal localization (HR: 2.0) of lesions in PSMA PET imaging were independent predictors of BCR after PSMA-RGS. Limitations are the retrospective design and lack of a control group. Conclusions: As salvage surgery in oligorecurrent PCa currently constitutes an experimental treatment approach careful patient selection is mandatory based on life expectancy, low PSA values and low number of PSMA PET avid lesions located in the pelvis. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings and define the oncological value of salvage surgical procedures in oligorecurrent PCa.
- Research Article
- 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.39250
- Oct 24, 2025
- JAMA Network Open
Prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (PSMA-PET), a form of molecular imaging, increases detection of advanced and metastatic prostate cancer, but its potential to increase treatment costs due to increased detection is poorly defined. To estimate lifetime health and cost outcomes and evaluate the cost-effectiveness associated with implementing PSMA-PET in the clinical evaluation of a patient with a biochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer, with evaluation of sources of uncertainty in the underlying evidence and assessment of the need and focus of additional data collection. This economic evaluation developed a decision-analytic model consisting of a decision tree and a Markov model informed by published literature and a study of patients with BCR prostate cancer undergoing PSMA-PET after definitive surgery or radiation therapy at 2 high-volume US academic centers. The analysis was performed between August 1, 2024, and May 1, 2025. Patients underwent (1) PSMA-PET, (2) PSMA-PET imaging as a reflex test if computed tomography plus bone scan (CTBS) was negative or equivocal (CTBS + PSMA-PET), and (3) CTBS alone. Lifetime quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and costs, incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), and value of information estimates were assessed, with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). We assumed a willingness-to-pay threshold of $150 000 per QALY. The model simulated 1000 patients with BCR (median age, 66 years) and estimated that up-front PSMA-PET is expected to have the highest mean QALYs (7.12 QALYs [95% UI, 6.71-7.51 QALYs]) compared with 6.55 QALYs (95% UI, 6.08-7.03 QALYs) for CTBS; it was also estimated to have higher mean costs ($451 000 [95% UI, $336 000-$577 000]) compared with $351 000 (95% UI, $263 000-$455 000]) for CTBS; consequently, PSMA-PET had mean increments of $99 000 (95% UI, $55 000-153,000) in costs and 0.58 QALYs (95% UI, 0.35-0.82 QALYs) compared with CTBS, leading to an ICER of $172 000 per QALY, which exceeded the assumed $150 000/QALY willingness-to-pay threshold. In patients with lower prostate-specific antigen levels (<2 ng/mL), PSMA had mean increments of $61 000 (95% UI, $21 000-$104 000) in costs and 0.54 QALYs (95% UI, 0.34-0.77 QALYs) compared with CTBS, leading to an ICER of $113 000/QALY, suggesting it had the potential to be cost-effective. Because of high decisional uncertainty, additional information regarding outcomes and diagnostic characteristics may be associated with reduced uncertainty and a gain of 15 747 QALYs. This study found that PSMA-PET may be associated with improved disease detection but may not be cost-effective due to high treatment costs offsetting moderate improvements in QALYs. Further research is needed to identify patient subsets and clinical scenarios in which molecular imaging provides the greatest value.
- Research Article
7
- 10.1016/j.acra.2023.08.044
- Sep 27, 2023
- Academic radiology
Detection Rate of PSMA PET Using Different Ligands in Men with Biochemical Recurrent Prostate Cancer Following Radical Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Prospective Studies
- Research Article
13
- 10.1111/bju.15492
- Jun 16, 2021
- Bju International
ObjectivesTo identify predictors of early oncological outcomes in patients who opt for robot‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP) for localized prostate cancer (PCa), including conventional prognostic variables as well as multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET).Patients and MethodsThis observational study included 493 patients who underwent RARP and extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) for unfavourable intermediate‐ or high‐risk PCa. Outcome measurement was biochemical progression of disease, defined as any postoperative prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) value ≥0.2 ng/mL, or the start of additional treatment. Cox regression analysis was performed to assess predictors for biochemical progression, including initial PSA value, biopsy Grade Group (GG), T‐stage on mpMRI, and lymph node status on PSMA PET imaging (miN0 vs miN1).ResultsThe median (interquartile range) total follow‐up of all included patients without biochemical progression was 12.6 (7.5–22.7) months. When assessing biochemical progression after surgery, initial PSA value (per doubling; odds ratio [OR] 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07–1.40; P = 0.004), biopsy GG ≥4 vs GG 1–2 (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.18–2.85; P = 0.007), T‐stage on mpMRI (rT3a vs rT2: OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.39–3.27; P = 0.001; ≥rT3b vs rT2: OR 4.78, 95% CI 3.20–7.16; P < 0.001) and miN1 on PSMA PET imaging (OR 2.94, 95% CI 2.02–4.27; P < 0.001) were independent predictors of early biochemical progression of disease.ConclusionInitial PSA value, biopsy GG ≥4, ≥rT3 disease on mpMRI and miN1 disease on PSMA PET were predictors of early biochemical progression after RARP. Identifying these patients with an increased risk of early biochemical progression after surgery may have major implications for patient counselling in radical treatment decisions and on patient selection for modern (neo‐)adjuvant and systematic treatments.
- Research Article
- 10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.e13739
- Jun 1, 2025
- Journal of Clinical Oncology
e13739 Background: Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen–Positron Emission Tomography (PSMA-PET) imaging has transformed the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer (PCa) since 2020 because it can detect smaller PCa lesions earlier than conventional imaging methods. Racial/ethnic inequities in PCa are well documented; yet, little is known about the extent of inequities in PSMA-PET use in patients (pts) with PCa. We examined PSMA-PET uptake among non-Latinx/Hispanic White (NHW), Black (NHB), and Latinx/Hispanic pts with metastatic (met) PCa (mPCa) to identify racial/ethnic differences in PSMA-PET use. Methods: This retrospective study included adults diagnosed with mPCa between December 2020 and May 2024 from the US nationwide Flatiron Health electronic health record-derived, deidentified database. Receipt of PSMA-PET was determined by manually reviewing unstructured EHR data. We selected NHW and NHB pts using race/ethnicity-stratified random sampling, to detect an absolute difference of ≥7% in the proportion of pts with a PSMA-PET scan (80% power, α = 0.05). Due to limitations in cohort size, Latinx pts were included in exploratory analyses. To assess the relationship between race/ethnicity and PSMA-PET uptake, we used multivariable logistic regression adjusted for age and mPCa diagnosis year. Socioeconomic status (SES), a mediator, was excluded as a covariate per the Institute of Medicine framework. Results: The cohort consisted of 550 pts: 250 NHW pts, 250 NHB pts, and 50 Latinx pts. More than half (54.0%) of pts had at least 1 documented PSMA-PET scan, with steadily increasing PSMA-PET utilization observed between 2021 (33.3%) and 2023 (64.9%). Compared with NHW pts, NHB pts and Latinx pts were more likely to have a lower SES. NHB pts were also more likely to be younger than NHW and Latinx pts. The majority (88.9%) of initial scans were completed after the met diagnosis date, with 75.0% of scans occurring in the hormone-sensitive setting compared with 24.7% in the castration-resistant setting. Compared with NHW pts, NHB pts had lower PSMA-PET utilization rates (61.2% vs. 50.0%; adjusted [adj] OR, 0.56 [95% CI, 0.38-0.82]). PSMA-PET utilization rates were also lower among Latinx pts (38.0%) relative to NHW pts (adj OR, 0.37 [95% CI, 0.19-0.71]). Conclusions: We observed racial/ethnic differences in the use of PSMA-PET among pts with mPCa. NHB and Latinx pts were less likely to receive PSMA-PET imaging than NHW pts. Our results are consistent with prior research documenting racial/ethnic inequities in the adoption of medical innovations and highlight the need for interventions to promote equitable uptake of diagnostic tools in oncology. Future research should explore potential drivers of racial/ethnic differences in PSMA-PET uptake and their potential impact on pt outcomes.
- Research Article
3
- 10.7150/thno.96738
- Jan 1, 2024
- Theranostics
Introduction: Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography (PSMA-PET) is routinely used for the staging of patients with prostate cancer, but data on response assessment are sparse and primarily stem from metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients treated with PSMA radioligand therapy. Still, follow-up PSMA-PET is employed in earlier disease stages in case of clinical suspicion of disease persistence, recurrence or progression to decide if localized or systemic treatment is indicated. Therefore, the prognostic value of PSMA-PET derived tumor volumes in earlier disease stages (i.e., hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC) and non-[177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 (LuPSMA) therapy castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC)) are evaluated in this manuscript. Methods: A total number of 73 patients (6 primary staging, 42 HSPC, 25 CRPC) underwent two (i.e., baseline and follow-up, median interval: 379 days) whole-body [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT scans between Nov 2014 and Dec 2018. Analysis was restricted to non-LuPSMA therapy patients. PSMA-PETs were retrospectively analyzed and primary tumor, lymph node-, visceral-, and bone metastases were segmented. Body weight-adjusted organ-specific and total tumor volumes (PSMAvol: sum of PET volumes of all lesions) were measured for baseline and follow-up. PSMAvol response was calculated as the absolute difference of whole-body tumor volumes. High metastatic burden (>5 metastases), RECIP 1.0 and PSMA-PET Progression Criteria (PPP) were determined. Survival data were sourced from the cancer registry. Results: The average number of tumor lesions per patient on the initial PET examination was 10.3 (SD 28.4). At baseline, PSMAvol was strongly associated with OS (HR 3.92, p <0.001; n = 73). Likewise, response in PSMAvol was significantly associated with OS (HR 10.48, p < 0.005; n = 73). PPP achieved significance as well (HR 2.19, p <0.05, n = 73). Patients with hormone sensitive disease and poor PSMAvol response (upper quartile of PSMAvol change) in follow-up had shorter outcome (p < 0.05; n = 42). PSMAvol in bones was the most relevant parameter for OS prognostication at baseline and for response assessment (HR 31.11 p < 0.001; HR 32.27, p < 0.001; n = 73). Conclusion: PPP and response in PSMAvol were significantly associated with OS in the present heterogeneous cohort. Bone tumor volume was the relevant miTNM region for OS prognostication. Future prospective evaluation of the performance of organ specific PSMAvol in more homogeneous cohorts seems warranted.
- Research Article
9
- 10.1016/j.euros.2023.01.010
- Mar 3, 2023
- European Urology Open Science
A Systematic Review of the Variability in Performing and Reporting Intraprostatic Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography in Primary Staging Studies
- Research Article
14
- 10.1097/ju.0000000000001592
- Feb 3, 2021
- Journal of Urology
The Predictive Value of Preoperative Negative Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography Imaging for Lymph Node Metastatic Prostate Cancer
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