Comparing the Detection Performance Between Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen PET/CT in Patients With Localized Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Diagnostic Accuracy of 18F-Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) PET/CT Radiotracers in Staging and Restaging of Patients With High-Risk Prostate Cancer or Biochemical Recurrence: An Overview of Reviews

The aim of this overview was to consolidate existing evidence syntheses and provide a comprehensive overview of the evidence for 18F-prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT in the staging of high-risk prostate cancer and restaging after biochemical recurrence. An overview of reviews was performed and reported in line with the preferred reporting items for overview of reviews (PRIOR) statement and synthesis without meta-analysis (SWiM) reporting guidelines. A comprehensive database and grey literature search were conducted up to July 18, 2023. Systematic reviews were assessed using the risk of bias in systematic reviews (ROBIS) tool. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluations (GRADE). 11 systematic reviews were identified; 10 were at high or unclear risk of bias. Evidence reported on a per-patient, per-lymph node, and per-lesion basis for sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy was identified. There was a lack of data on dose, adverse events and evidence directly comparing 18F-PSMA PET/CT to other imaging modalities. Evidence with moderate to very low certainty indicated high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 18F-PSMA PET/CT in patients with high-risk prostate cancer and biochemical recurrence. There was considerably lower certainty evidence and greater variability in effect estimates for outcomes for the combined intermediate/high-risk cohort. While evidence gaps remain for some outcomes, and most systematic reviews were at high or unclear risk of bias, the current evidence base is broadly supportive of 18F-PSMA PET/CT imaging in the staging and restaging of patients with high-risk prostate cancer and biochemical recurrence.

The learning curve and experience of a novel multi-modal image fusion targeted transperineal prostate biopsy technique using electromagnetic needle tracking under local anesthesia

Background

Prostate cancer is the most common malignant tumor of male genitourinary system, and the gold standard for its diagnosis is prostate biopsy. Focusing on the methods and skills of prostate biopsy, we explored the learning curve and experience of a novel magnetic resonance imaging and transrectal ultrasound (mpMRI-TRUS) image fusion transperineal biopsy (TPB) technique using electromagnetic needle tracking under local anesthesia.

Methods

The clinical and pathological data of 92 patients who underwent targeted TPB from January 2023 to July 2023 in our center were prospectively collected. The cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis method and the best fitting curve were used to analyze the learning curve of this novel technique, and the clinical characteristics, perioperative data and tumor positive rate of prostate biopsy of patients at different stages of the learning curve were compared.

Results

With the increase of the number of surgical cases, the overall operative time showed a downward trend. The best fitting curve of CUSUM reached its peak at the twelfth case, which is the minimum cumulative number of surgical cases needed to cross the learning curve of the operation. Taking this as the boundary, the learning curve is divided into two stages: learning improvement stage (group A, 12 cases) and proficiency stage (group B, 80 cases). The surgical time and visual analog scale score during prostate biopsy in group A were significantly higher than those in group B. The visual numerical scale score during prostate biopsy in group A was significantly lower than that in group B. There was no statistically significant difference between group A and group B in the detection rate of csPCa and the incidence of perioperative complications.

Conclusion

The novel targeted TPB technique is divided into learning improvement stage and proficiency stage, and 12 cases may be the least cumulative number.

68Ga-prostate specific membrane antigen-11 PET/CT versus multiparametric MRI in the detection of primary prostate cancer: A systematic review and head-to-head comparative meta-analysis

PURPOSE

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two diagnostic methods, 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT and mpMRI, in detecting primary prostate cancer without limitations on the Gleason score.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive literature review, searching databases such as PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science until June 2023. Our objective was to identify studies that compared the efficacy of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT and mpMRI in detecting primary prostate cancer. To determine heterogeneity, the I2 statistic was used. Meta-regression analysis and leave-one-out sensitivity analysis were conducted to identify potential sources of heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Initially, 1286 publications were found, but after careful evaluation, only 16 studies involving 1227 patients were analyzed thoroughly. The results showed that the 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT method had a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 0.87 (95 % CI: 0.80-0.92) and 0.80 (95 % CI: 0.69-0.89), respectively, for diagnosing prostatic cancer. Similarly, the values for mpMRI were determined as 0.84 (95 % CI: 0.75-0.92) and 0.74 (95 % CI: 0.61-0.86), respectively. There were no significant differences in diagnostic effectiveness observed when comparing two primary prostate cancer methodologies (pooled sensitivity P = 0.62, pooled specificity P = 0.50). Despite this, the funnel plots showed symmetry and the Egger test results (P values > 0.05) suggested there was no publication bias.

CONCLUSIONS

After an extensive meta-analysis, it was found that both 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT and mpMRI demonstrate similar diagnostic effectiveness in detecting primary prostate cancer. Future larger prospective studies are warranted to investigate this issue further.

Prostate Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy With a Focal Simultaneous Integrated Boost: 5-Year Toxicity and Biochemical Recurrence Results From a Prospective Trial

PURPOSE

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is increasingly used as a definitive treatment option for patients with prostate adenocarcinoma. The aim of this study was to assess the late toxicity, patient-reported quality of life outcomes, and biochemical recurrence rates after prostate SBRT with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) targeting lesions defined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Patients were eligible if they had biopsy-proven low- or intermediate-risk prostate adenocarcinoma, one or more focal lesions on MRI, and an MRI-defined total prostate volume of <120 mL. All patients received SBRT delivered to the entire prostate to a dose of 36.25 Gy in 5 fractions with an SIB to the lesions seen on MRI to 40 Gy in 5 fractions. Late toxicity was defined as any possible treatment-related adverse event occurring after 3 months from the completion of SBRT. Patient-reported quality of life was ascertained using standardized patient surveys.

RESULTS

A total of 26 patients were enrolled. Six patients (23.1%) had low-risk disease and 20 patients had intermediate-risk disease (76.9%). Seven patients (26.9%) received androgen deprivation therapy. Median follow-up was 59.5 months. No biochemical failures were observed. Three patients (11.5%) experienced late grade 2 genitourinary (GU) toxicity requiring cystoscopy, and 7 patients (26.9%) had late grade 2 GU toxicity requiring oral medications. Three patients (11.5%) had late grade 2 gastrointestinal toxicity characterized by hematochezia requiring colonoscopy and steroids per rectum. There were no grade 3 or higher toxicity events observed. The patient-reported quality-of-life metrics at the time of last follow-up were not significantly different than the pre-treatment baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study support that SBRT to the entire prostate to a dose of 36.25 Gy in 5 fractions with focal SIB to 40 Gy in 5 fractions has excellent biochemical control and is not associated with undue late gastrointestinal or GU toxicity or long-term quality of life decrement. Focal dose escalation with an SIB planning approach may be an opportunity to improve biochemical control while limiting dose to nearby organs at risk.