18F-DCFPyL PET/CT for Initially Diagnosed and Biochemically Recurrent Prostate Cancer: Prospective Trial with Pathologic Confirmation

Background Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET is standard for newly diagnosed high-risk and biochemically recurrent (BCR) prostate cancer. Although studies suggest high specificity of 2-(3-{1-carboxy-5-[(6-[(18)F]fluoro-pyridine-3-carbonyl)-amino]-pentyl}-ureido)-pentanedioic acid (DCFPyL) for targeting PSMA, false-positive findings have been identified and most studies lack histologic confirmation of malignancy. Purpose To estimate the positive predictive value (PPV) of DCFPyL PET/CT by providing histopathologic proof for DCFPyL-avid lesions suspected of being distant metastases at initial diagnosis and recurrence in BCR prostate cancer. Materials and Methods In this prospective trial, men with newly diagnosed high-risk prostate cancer (sample 1) or BCR prostate cancer and negative findings at conventional CT and/or bone scanning (sample 2) were enrolled between January and December 2021. All men underwent DCFPyL PET/CT. Suspected distant metastases and/or recurrences were biopsied. PPV was calculated. Results A total of 92 men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer (median age, 70 years; IQR, 64-75 years) (sample 1) and 92 men with BCR prostate cancer (median age, 71 years; IQR, 66-75 years) (sample 2) were enrolled. In sample 1, 25 of the 92 men (27%) demonstrated DCFPyL-avid lesions suspicious for distant metastases. Biopsy was performed in 23 of the 25 men (92%), with 17 of the 23 (74%) biopsies positive for malignancy and six (26%) benign. Of the six benign biopsies, three were solitary rib foci and three were solitary pelvic bone foci. In sample 2, 57 of the 92 men (62%) demonstrated DCFPyL-avid lesions suspicious for recurrence. Biopsy was performed in 37 of the 57 men (65%), with 33 of the 37 (89%) biopsies positive for malignancy and four (11%) benign. Of the four benign biopsies, two were subcentimeter pelvic nodes and/or nodules, one was a rib, and one was a pelvic bone focus. Conclusion PET/CT with 2-(3-{1-carboxy-5-[(6-[(18)F]fluoro-pyridine-3-carbonyl)-amino]-pentyl}-ureido)-pentanedioic acid (DCFPyL) had a high biopsy-proven positive predictive value for distant metastases in newly diagnosed prostate cancer (74%) and for recurrence sites in men with biochemical recurrence (89%). However, there were DCFPyL-avid false-positive findings (particularly in ribs and pelvic bones). Solitary DCFPyL avidity in these locations should not be presumed as malignant. Biopsy may still be needed prior to therapy decisions. ClinicalTrials.gov registration no. NCT04700332 © RSNA, 2022 See also the editorial by Zukotynski and Kuo in this issue.