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Strong Correlation Between SUVmaxon PSMA PET/CT and Numeric Drop-In γ-Probe Signal for Intraoperative Identification of Prostate Cancer Lesions

Journal of Nuclear Medicine, vol. 65, pp. 548–554

Abstract

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET is used to select patients with recurrent prostate cancer for metastasis-directed therapy. A surgical approach can be achieved through radioguided surgery (RGS), using a Drop-In γ-probe that traces lesions that accumulate the radioactive signal. With the aim of guiding patient selection for salvage surgery, we studied the correlation between the SUVmax of lesions on preoperative PSMA PET/CT and their intraoperative counts/s measured using the Drop-In γ-probe. Methods: A secondary analysis based on the prospective, single-arm, and single-center feasibility study was conducted (NCT03857113). Patients (n = 29) with biochemical recurrence after previous curative-intent therapy and a maximum of 3 suggestive lesions within the pelvis on preoperative PSMA PET/CT were included. Patients treated with androgen deprivation therapy within 6 mo before surgery were excluded. All patients received an intravenous injection of 99mTc-PSMA-I&S 1 d before surgery. Radioguidance was achieved using a Drop-In γ-probe. Correlation was determined using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient (ρs). Subgroup analysis was based on the median SUVmax. Results: In total, 33 lesions were visible on the PSMA PET/CT images, with a median overall SUVmax of 6.2 (interquartile range [IQR], 4.2–9.7). RGS facilitated removal of 31 lesions. The median Drop-In counts/s were 134 (IQR, 81–220) in vivo and 109 (IQR, 72–219) ex vivo. The intensity of the values correlated with SUVmax (ρs = 0.728 and 0.763, respectively; P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis based on median SUVmax in the group with an SUVmax of less than 6 showed no statistically significant correlation with the numeric signal in vivo (ρs = 0.382; P = 0.221) or the signal-to-background-ratio (ρs = 0.245; P = 0.442), whereas the group with an SUVmax of 6 or more showed respective statistically significant positive correlations (ρs = 0.774 [P < 0.001] and ρs = 0.647 [P = 0.007]). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that there is a direct relation between SUVmax on PSMA PET/CT and the readout recorded by the surgical Drop-In probe, thereby indicating that SUVmax can be used to select patients for PSMA RGS. For more definitive subgroup definitions for treatment recommendations, further studies are necessary to validate the present findings.

Authors 11

  1. Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center · The Netherlands Cancer Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Urology, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; a.berrens@nki.nl

    Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Department of Urology, Netherlands Cancer Institute–Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  2. The Netherlands Cancer Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Urology, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Department of Urology, Netherlands Cancer Institute–Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  3. The Netherlands Cancer Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Nuclear Medicine, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Department of Nuclear Medicine, Netherlands Cancer Institute–Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  4. The Netherlands Cancer Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Urology, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Department of Urology, Netherlands Cancer Institute–Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  5. Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center · The Netherlands Cancer Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Urology, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Department of Urology, Netherlands Cancer Institute–Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  6. Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center · The Netherlands Cancer Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Urology, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Department of Urology, Netherlands Cancer Institute–Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  7. Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center · The Netherlands Cancer Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Nuclear Medicine, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Department of Urology, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Department of Urology, Netherlands Cancer Institute–Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  8. The Netherlands Cancer Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Pathology, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; and

    Department of Pathology, Netherlands Cancer Institute–Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  9. The Netherlands Cancer Institute · Amsterdam University Medical Centers · Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Urology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Department of Urology, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Department of Urology, Netherlands Cancer Institute–Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  10. Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center · The Netherlands Cancer Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Urology, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Department of Urology, Netherlands Cancer Institute–Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  11. The Netherlands Cancer Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Urology, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Department of Urology, Netherlands Cancer Institute–Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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