Next-Generation Imaging

Jen-Jane Liu, MD, discusses how PSMA-PET imaging might help physicians decide whether or not a patient with prostate cancer needs lymph node dissection.

Researchers examined the impact of deep learning–based AI software upon radiologists reviewing multiparametric MRI scans in the assessment of clinically significant prostate cancer.

In the ARASTEP trial, the primary outcome measure of rPFS is being measured by PSMA-PET/CT imaging with 68Ga-PSMA-11 (prepared using Illuccix) or piflufolastat F 18.

Illuccix is approved by Health Canada for imaging in patients with suspected metastasis who are candidates for initial definitive therapy, or in patients with suspected recurrence based on an elevated PSA level.

The designation is for patients with mCRPC who have progressed on an androgen receptor pathway inhibitor and are not eligible for or decline to receive chemotherapy.

Scott T. Tagawa, MD, discusses trials exploring 177Lu-PSMA-617 in settings earlier than it’s FDA-approved indication for patients with heavily pretreated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

The tool uses a tumor-to-salivary gland ratio (PSG score) to predict outcomes.

TLX250-CDx PET/CT demonstrated a high degree of sensitivity (85.5%) and specificity (87.0%) for detection of clear cell renal cell carcinoma in patients with indeterminate renal masses.

The PSMA-targeted fluorescent tracer OTL78 was shown to be safe and enabled real-time imaging during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and provided valuable information on the localization and extent of prostate cancer.

Clinical guidelines currently do not recommend PSMA-PET imaging before radical prostatectomy.

“What we need now are biomarkers to know if the medication is going to work or not,” says Park.

The deep learning software also showed no difference in the consistency of scoring with the Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS).

"Where it's feasible and where the patients are eligible, I and others are trying to use alternative therapies, which have probably a similar impact in terms of improving longevity of life for patients [with prostate cancer]," says Praful Ravi, MD, BChir, MRCP.

"Some of these patients newly referred don't have any other proven therapies remaining...This is the only one on the shelf that has a proven benefit. Unfortunately, we can't offer them that at this stage," says Praful Ravi, MD, BChir, MRCP.

The PSMA-targeted monoclonal antibody J591 is effective in non-metastatic CRPC when it is radiolabeled with either 177Lu or 111In.

Antibody-drug conjugates, including those targeting PSMA, are among the next wave of treatment advances in mCRPC.

The PSMA-PET imaging product is now approved for the selection of patients with metastatic prostate cancer for whom 177Lu-PSMA-617 is indicated.

Once patients had a PSA level of 0.25 ng/mL or higher, the risk of mortality increased by approximately 50%.

The phase 1 PROPELLER trial assessed the safety and efficacy of 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA, and compared the imaging agent with 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET.

The data come from a sub-analysis of the pivotal phase 3 CONDOR trial of the PSMA-targeted radiopharmaceutical piflufolastat F 18 in men with suspected recurrence of prostate cancer.

“I clearly think that this agent improves the identification of clear cell kidney cancer compared with any metric on any cross-sectional imaging study to date," says Brian M. Shuch, MD.

Overall survival outcomes were similar to those treated with 177Lu-PSMA-617 more than 6 months after radium-223 treatment, according to findings from the RALU study.

"We are very pleased to have reached our recruitment target for the COBRA trial. The data generated thus far on the SAR-bisPSMA product is very encouraging and shows high uptake of the agent by prostate cancer cells,” said Neal Shore, MD.

Benjamin Lowentritt, MD, discusses how the phase 3 SPOTLIGHT trial showed the efficacy of the PSMA-PET imaging agent 18F-rhPSMA-7.3 PET across a variety of subgroups in prostate cancer.

“This study is one of the most highly anticipated of all of the metastatic hormone-sensitive setting trials that we have going on at this time,” says Alicia Morgans, MD, MPH.

MRI-guided SBRT reduced both acute toxicity effects and decrements in quality-of-life measures when compared with CT-guided SBRT, according to findings published in JAMA Oncology.

“There are a slew of ongoing trials looking at 177Lu-PSMA-617 in earlier stages of disease,” says Praful Ravi, MB, BChir, MRCP.

“We have to remember that this is not a cure for prostate cancer…right now, it is another tool in the toolbox,” says Praful Ravi, MB, BChir, MRCP.

The SPLASH trial is examining PNT2002 in patients whose tumors express PSMA and who have experienced disease progression on an androgen receptor axis–targeted therapy.

As the year comes to a close, we revisit some of this year’s top content on next-generation imaging.