[99cmTc]Tc-PSMA-I&S-SPECT/CT: experience in prostate cancer imaging in an outpatient center.

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) SPECT imaging in prostate cancer (PCa) could be a valuable alternative in regions where access to PSMA-PET imaging is restricted. [99mTc]Tc-PSMA-I&S is a new 99mTc-labeled PSMA-targeting SPECT agent, initially developed for radio-guided surgery. We report on the diagnostic use of [99mTc]Tc-PSMA-I&S-SPECT/CT in PCa.

[99mTc]Tc-PSMA-I&S-SPECT/CT was performed and evaluated in 210 outpatients with PCa at a single center. Patients were imaged for biochemical recurrence (BCR, n = 152, mean PSA 8.7 ng/ml), for primary staging of high-risk PCa (n = 12, mean PSA 393 ng/ml), and restaging in advanced recurrent PCa (n = 46, mean PSA 101.3 ng/ml). Number and location of positive lesions were determined for the different subgroups. For BCR, detection rates were calculated, defined as the proportion of scans with at least one PSMA-positive lesion. PSMA positive lesions were detected in 65.2% of all 210 patients. Tumor tissue was mainly detected in lymph nodes (59%), in the bone (42%), and in the prostate (fossa) (28%). In the subgroup of patients referred for detection of BCR the detection rate increased from 20% at a PSA level < 1 ng/ml to 82.9% and 100% at PSA levels > 4 ng/ml and > 10 ng/ml, respectively. In the subgroup of high-risk patients referred for primary staging, 42% demonstrated metastatic disease. Restaging of advanced recurrent PCa revealed detectability of PSMA positive tumor lesions in 85% of the scans.

[99mTc]Tc-PSMA-I&S-SPECT/CT was useful in PSMA-targeted imaging of PCa at various clinical stages. At low PSA levels (< 4 ng/ml), detection rates of [99mTc]Tc-PSMA-I&S-SPECT/CT in BCR are clearly inferior to data reported for PET-imaging and should thus only be considered for lesion detection if imaging with PET is unavailable. However, at higher PSA levels (> 4 ng/ml) [99mTc]Tc-PSMA-I&S-SPECT/CT provides high detection rates in BCR. [99mTc]Tc-PSMA-I&S-SPECT/CT can also be used for primary staging and for restaging of advanced recurrent PCa. However, further studies are needed to assess the clinical value in these indications.

EJNMMI research. 2020 May 07*** epublish ***

P Werner, C Neumann, M Eiber, H J Wester, M Schottelius

Nuclear Medicine Neumann, Outpatient Practice for Nuclear Medicine, Leipzig, Germany., Department of Nuclear Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany., Pharmaceutical Radiochemistry, Technical University of Munich, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany., Pharmaceutical Radiochemistry, Technical University of Munich, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany. .