PSMA ligands in prostate cancer – Probe optimization and theranostic applications

Due to its selective overexpression in prostate cancer (PCa), the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) has been recognized as a highly promising target for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. So far, various PSMA ligands have been developed for radiolabeling with radioisotopes such as 68Ga or 18F which can be used for specific visualization and diagnosis of PSMA-expressing PCa. In addition, PSMA ligands suitable for radiolabeling with 131I or 177Lu have become available to the clinics, allowing PSMA-based radioligand therapies. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the most frequently used PSMA ligands, their structural modifications, and the impact of those on clinical applications.