The impact of PSMA PET on the treatment and outcomes of men with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundProstate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET is highly sensitive in identifying disease recurrence in men with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer (BCR) after primary therapy and is rapidly being adopted in clinical practice. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the documented impact of PSMA-PET on patient management and outcomes, including prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response, and intermediate and long-term outcome measures.Materials and methodsMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane and OVID databases were searched for studies reporting on the impact of PSMA-PET on the management and outcomes of patients with BCR after definitive primary therapy. Outcome measures assessed included biochemical response to therapy after PET and BCR-free survival (BRFS). The proportions of patients in whom management changed, and the proportion of patients in whom each outcome measure was obtained were tabulated and pooled into meta-analysis using DerSimonian-Laird method.ResultsA total of 34 studies with 3680 men reported change in management after PSMA-PET and 27 studies with 2639 men reported on at least one outcome measure and had follow-up data. PSMA-PET was positive in 2508/3680 (68.2%). The pooled proportion of change in management after PSMA-PET was 56.4% (95% CI, 48.0–63.9%). A decrease in serum PSA was documented in 72.4% of men (95% CI, 63.4–81.5%), and complete biochemical response in 23.3% (95% CI, 14.6–32.0%) at a median follow-up of 8.1 and 11 months, respectively. The pooled BRFS rate was 60.2% (95% CI, 49.1–71.4%) at a median follow-up of 20 months.ConclusionIn conclusion, PSMA PET is positive in more than 2/3 of men with BCR and impacts patient management in more than half of the men. BRFS after PET-directed management is 60% at a median of 20 months after salvage therapy, and complete biochemical response may be achieved in up to a quarter of men.