Sign in Subscribe
Cancer research

New Study Reveals Insights into Prostate Cancer Progression After Local Treatment

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A recent study has shed new light on the characteristics of patients with high-risk biochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer, providing valuable insights for improved treatment strategies. The research, conducted by a team of experts from Northwestern University, analyzed the PET/CT findings of 145 patients with high-risk BCR after local treatment for prostate cancer. The study aimed to describe the PSMA PET/CT characteristics of patients with high-risk BCR and to identify potential biomarkers for targeted therapies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that 77% of patients with high-risk BCR had a single lesion on PSMA PET/CT, with no significant difference in PSMA PET/CT positivity based on age, race, Gleason Grade at initial biopsy, or PSA.
  • The most common locations for PSMA PET/CT-positive lesions were the prostate/prostate bed (20%), followed by nodal recurrence (21%) and distant metastasis (37%).
  • Logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with prior cytotoxic chemotherapy or androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) were more likely to have PSMA PET/CT-positive lesions.
  • The study concluded that nearly 80% of patients with high-risk BCR after local treatment for prostate cancer will have positive findings on PSMA PET/CT, with 55% potentially benefiting from salvage local therapy or metastasis-directed therapies for oligometastatic disease.

Statistics:

  • 113 of 145 (77%) patients had a single lesion on PSMA PET/CT.
  • 29 (20%) patients had lesions in the prostate/prostate bed only.
  • 31 (21%) patients had lesions consistent with N1M0 disease.
  • 53 (37%) patients had lesions consistent with M1 disease.
  • 21/53 (40%) patients had oligometastatic disease (1-3 lesions).
  • 32/53 (60%) patients had a higher burden of metastatic disease (≥3 lesions).
  • Local recurrence was more common with radiation therapy (RT), while nodal recurrence was more common with radical prostatectomy (RP).

Sources:

  • PSMA PET/CT findings in high-risk biochemical recurrence after local treatment of prostate cancer. BJUI Compass, 2025,6(5):n/a-n/a.

* Publisher: Wiley

* DOI: https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1002/bco2.70028

* Free access: https://doi.org/10.1002/bco2.70028

  • Nicole Handa, Richard Bennett IV, Eric V. Li, et al. "PSMA PET/CT findings in high-risk biochemical recurrence after local treatment of prostate cancer." BJUI Compass, 2025, 6(5): n/a-n/a.

* Publisher: Wiley

* DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/bco2.70028

Read more