Clinical Usefulness of PSMA PET/CT Imaging in Patients with Suspected Recurrence of Prostate Cancer after Primary RT with PSA below the Phoenix Criteria Threshold: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

To assess the detection rate and the patterns of PSMA PET/CT uptake in patients with suspected prostate cancer recurrence after primary radiotherapy with serum PSA levels below the accepted Phoenix definition criteria for biochemical recurrence.

MATERIALS/METHODS

The meta-analysis was performed according to the PRISMA statement. Studies providing data on patients with suspected prostate cancer recurrence after primary radiotherapy with serum PSA levels below the accepted Phoenix definition criteria were included.

RESULTS

Atotal of 5 studies included a total of 1334 patients, of which 489 patients with suspected BCR and serum PSA levels below the Phoenix criteria were included. The PSMA PET/CT detection rate (DR) was 60% for PSA <0.5 ng/mL, 76% for PSA 0.5-1 ng/mL, 81.03% for PSA 1-2 ng/mL, and 89.5% for PSA>2. No significant differences were found in the locations of PSMA-PET/CT uptake among those with PSA ≤2 ng/mL, compared with those meeting the Phoenix criteria. The PSMA-PET/CT uptake of local-only recurrence was more likely in patients with PSA <2 ng/mL (local-only recurrence PSA >2 ng/mL [40.07%] vs PSA <2 ng/mL [58.10%]), RR: 0.718 (95% CI: 0.579-0.892). Lymph node, bone, and visceral metastasis detection rates could be extracted from 3 studies (432 patients). For lymph nodes, the DR was 46% (95% CI: 38-54) in patients outside the Phoenix criteria threshold, and 50% (95% CI: 39-62) in patients with PSA>2 ng/mL. The DR for bone metastases was 19% (95% CI: 12-28) in patients outside the Phoenix criteria threshold, and 25% (95% CI: 19-31) in patients with PSA>2 ng/mL. The DR for visceral metastases was 3% (95% CI: 0-7) in patients outside the Phoenix criteria threshold, and 2% (95% CI: 0-4) in patients with PSA>2 ng/mL. The potentially salvageable disease was considered when all evidence of avid disease could be safely treated with local therapy. This data could be extracted from two studies (343 patients). A higher proportion of disease potentially amenable to salvage therapy was reported in patients outside the Phoenix criteria threshold [salvageable disease: PSA ≤2 ng/mL: 69% (95% CI: 57-80), and PSA >2 ng/mL: 61% (95% CI: 55-66). The pooled risk ratio meta-analysis showed no statistically significant differences between the two previous groups RR: 0.91 (95% CI: 0.75-1.10).

CONCLUSION

PSMAPET/CT can detect prostate cancer recurrence in patients with PSA levels below the Phoenix criteria threshold (reaching up to 80%). Local-only recurrence detection by PSMA PET/CT was more likely in patients with PSA <2 ng/mL. The data from the present meta-analysis shows that a critical review of the Phoenix criteria in the era of PSMA PET/CT might be warranted. Nevertheless, the lack of anatomopathological validation and the retrospective nature of the studies are some of our limitations.

Impact of pre-radiation therapy quality of life in lung cancer survival: a prospective, intention-to-treat, multicenter study

PURPOSE

Lung cancer (LC) has a significant impact on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We investigate the correlations between pre-radiation therapy HRQoL and survival.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective, intention-to-treat, multicentre study of 437 patients with LC recruited at the radiation oncology departments of three different institutions was conducted between 2012 and 2016. QoL was assessed using the EORTC-QLQ-C30 (v3.0) and EORTC-QLQ-LC13 questionnaires. Global health status (GHS), physical (PF), role functioning (RF), emotional (EF), cognitive (CF), and social functioning (SF) as well as symptoms scores were evaluated in univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

The cohort consisted of 376 men (86%) and 61 women, with a median age of 66 years (range 31-88). Histology was: 72% (n = 315) non-small cell lung cancer and 28% small cell lung cancer. The most common stage was III (80%) and the median follow-up for alive patients was 30 months (range 7-76). Multivariate analysis showed that RF was associated with a lower risk of mortality (HR: 0.693; p = 0.008) and recurrence (HR: 0.737; p = 0.040). Additionally, lower scores on EF and PF were associated with higher mortality (HR: 0.696; p = 0.003 and HR: 0.765; p = 0.044, respectively). Appetite loss, constipation, and dysphagia were associated with a higher risk of mortality (HR: 1.985; p < 0.001, HR: 1.373; p = 0.036, and HR: 1.659; p = 0.002, respectively), while appetite loss was the only symptom associated with a higher risk of recurrence (HR: 1.525; p = 0.014).

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-radiation therapy scores on RF, EF, and PF and symptoms like appetite loss, dysphagia, and constipation were associated with the risk of mortality. This information could be added to other prognostic factors to guide our treatment decisions.