68Ga-PSMA-PET: added value and future applications in comparison to the current use of choline-PET and mpMRI in the workup of prostate cancer

Radiol Med. 2018 Dec;123(12):952-965. doi: 10.1007/s11547-018-0929-9. Epub 2018 Aug 16.

Abstract

Positron emission tomography (PET) has been commonly and successfully used, in combination with computed tomography (CT) and more recently magnetic resonance (MRI), in the workup of intermediate or high-risk prostate cancer (PCa). Nowadays, new specific receptor targeted PET tracers in prostate cancer imaging have been introduced; one of the most used is 68Ga-PSMA, that evaluates the expression of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). This tracer has been rapidly taken into account for its better sensitivity and specificity compared to lipid metabolism tracers, such as 11C/18F labelled fluorocholine. Besides, in the era of theranostics, this tracer is having a useful application not only for imaging but also for therapeutic purposes. The aim of this review article is, in the first part, to give an overview of the main indications and future development of 68Ga-PSMA imaging, using PET/CT or PET/MRI, according to the clinical course of the disease and in view of the current use of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) and choline PET in the management of PCa. In the second part, a brief overview of the promising 18F-labelled PSMA tracers and the current use of PSMA radionuclide therapy will be provided.

Keywords: Magnetic resonance imaging; Positron emission tomography; Prostate-specific membrane antigen; Prostte cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Choline / pharmacology
  • Gallium Radioisotopes / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Image-Guided Biopsy
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Multimodal Imaging*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnostic imaging
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen / analysis*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / therapy
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / pharmacology
  • Salvage Therapy

Substances

  • Gallium Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen
  • Choline