Skip to main content

Main menu

  • Home
  • Content
    • Current
    • Ahead of print
    • Past Issues
    • JNM Supplement
    • SNMMI Annual Meeting Abstracts
    • Continuing Education
    • JNM Podcasts
  • Subscriptions
    • Subscribers
    • Institutional and Non-member
    • Rates
    • Journal Claims
    • Corporate & Special Sales
  • Authors
    • Submit to JNM
    • Information for Authors
    • Assignment of Copyright
    • AQARA requirements
  • Info
    • Reviewers
    • Permissions
    • Advertisers
  • About
    • About Us
    • Editorial Board
    • Contact Information
  • More
    • Alerts
    • Feedback
    • Help
    • SNMMI Journals
  • SNMMI
    • JNM
    • JNMT
    • SNMMI Journals
    • SNMMI

User menu

  • Subscribe
  • My alerts
  • Log in
  • Log out
  • My Cart

Search

  • Advanced search
Journal of Nuclear Medicine
  • SNMMI
    • JNM
    • JNMT
    • SNMMI Journals
    • SNMMI
  • Subscribe
  • My alerts
  • Log in
  • Log out
  • My Cart
Journal of Nuclear Medicine

Advanced Search

  • Home
  • Content
    • Current
    • Ahead of print
    • Past Issues
    • JNM Supplement
    • SNMMI Annual Meeting Abstracts
    • Continuing Education
    • JNM Podcasts
  • Subscriptions
    • Subscribers
    • Institutional and Non-member
    • Rates
    • Journal Claims
    • Corporate & Special Sales
  • Authors
    • Submit to JNM
    • Information for Authors
    • Assignment of Copyright
    • AQARA requirements
  • Info
    • Reviewers
    • Permissions
    • Advertisers
  • About
    • About Us
    • Editorial Board
    • Contact Information
  • More
    • Alerts
    • Feedback
    • Help
    • SNMMI Journals
  • View or Listen to JNM Podcast
  • Visit JNM on Facebook
  • Join JNM on LinkedIn
  • Follow JNM on Twitter
  • Subscribe to our RSS feeds
Research ArticleTheranostics

Histologically Confirmed Diagnostic Efficacy of 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET for N-Staging of Patients with Primary High-Risk Prostate Cancer

Markus Kroenke, Alexander Wurzer, Kristina Schwamborn, Lena Ulbrich, Lena Jooß, Tobias Maurer, Thomas Horn, Isabel Rauscher, Bernhard Haller, Michael Herz, Hans-Jürgen Wester, Wolfgang A. Weber and Matthias Eiber
Journal of Nuclear Medicine May 2020, 61 (5) 710-715; DOI: https://doi.org/10.2967/jnumed.119.234906
Markus Kroenke
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Alexander Wurzer
2Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Kristina Schwamborn
3Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Lena Ulbrich
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Lena Jooß
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Tobias Maurer
4Martini-Klinik and Department of Urology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Thomas Horn
5Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; and
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Isabel Rauscher
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Bernhard Haller
6Institute of Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Michael Herz
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Hans-Jürgen Wester
2Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Wolfgang A. Weber
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Matthias Eiber
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • Article
  • Figures & Data
  • Supplemental
  • Info & Metrics
  • PDF
Loading

Abstract

18F-rhPSMA-7 (radiohybrid prostate-specific membrane antigen [PSMA]) is a novel ligand for PET imaging. Here, we present data from a retrospective analysis using PET/CT and PET/MRI examinations to investigate the efficacy of 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET for primary N-staging of patients with prostate cancer (PC) compared with morphologic imaging (CT or MRI) and validated by histopathology. Methods: Data from 58 patients with high-risk PC (according to the D’Amico criteria) who were staged with 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET/CT or PET/MRI at our institution between July 2017 and June 2018 were reviewed. The patients had a median prescan prostate-specific antigen value of 12.2 ng/mL (range, 1.2–81.6 ng/mL). The median injected activity of 18F-rhPSMA-7 was 327 MBq (range, 132–410 MBq), with a median uptake time of 79.5 min (range, 60–153 min). All patients underwent subsequent radical prostatectomy and extended pelvic lymph node dissection. The presence of lymph node metastases was determined by an experienced reader independently for both the PET and the morphologic datasets using a template-based analysis on a 5-point scale. Patient-level and template-based results were both compared with histopathologic findings. Results: Lymph node metastases were present in 18 patients (31.0%) and were located in 52 of 375 templates (13.9%). Receiver-operating-characteristic analyses showed 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET to perform significantly better than morphologic imaging on both patient-based and template-based analyses (areas under curve, 0.858 vs. 0.649 [P = 0.012] and 0.765 vs. 0.589 [P < 0.001], respectively). On patient-based analyses, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET were 72.2%, 92.5%, and 86.2%, respectively, and those of morphologic imaging were 50.0%, 72.5%, and 65.5%, respectively. On template-based analyses, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET were 53.8%, 96.9%, and 90.9%, respectively, and those of morphologic imaging were 9.6%, 95.0%, and 83.2%, respectively. Conclusion: 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET is superior to morphologic imaging for N-staging of high-risk primary PC. The efficacy of 18F-rhPSMA-7 is similar to published data for 68Ga-PSMA-11.

  • hybrid imaging
  • lymph nodes
  • N-staging
  • PET
  • prostate cancer
  • prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)

Prostate cancer (PC) is a leading cause of male cancer-related death worldwide (1). Determining the presence and extent of disease at primary diagnosis is important to accurately predict prognosis and to define the optimal treatment strategy (2–4). Lymph node metastases may be detected in up to 25% of patients with PC and are correlated with the risk for recurrence and associated with overall survival (5–7).

The current gold standard for N-staging is pelvic lymphadenectomy, although this technique cannot evaluate regions outside the surgical field and is associated with morbidity and complications (8,9). Although cross-sectional imaging with CT, MRI, and PET with choline-based tracers is associated with low sensitivity (10,11), prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)–ligand PET is increasingly used for primary staging of PC. It outperforms cross-sectional imaging (12) and has been reported to have a sensitivity in the range of 33%–99% and a consistently high specificity of over 90% (13).

18F-labeled PSMA radiotracers are under clinical evaluation and offer several potential advantages such as a longer half-life, larger-batch production, and lower positron range than their 68Ga-labeled counterparts. Promising results for primary staging have been demonstrated in a preliminary case series investigating 18F-PSMA-1007 (14). Radiohybrid PSMA (rhPSMA) ligands are a new class of theranostic PSMA-targeting agents that can be efficiently labeled with 18F and radiometals such as 68Ga or 177Lu (15). The lead compound in this class, 18F-rhPSMA-7, shows favorable biodistribution with low bladder retention, fast kinetics, and encouraging first-in-men data (16).

The aim of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET for primary N-staging of patients with high-risk PC compared with cross-sectional imaging and validated by histopathology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients

Data were retrospectively reviewed from all patients meeting the D’Amico criteria for high-risk PC (17) who underwent 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET/CT or PET/MRI and subsequent radical prostatectomy and extended pelvic lymph node dissection at our clinic between July 2017 and June 2018. Patients were excluded if they had received neoadjuvant treatment (either before or after the PET scan) or had not undergone radical prostatectomy with extended pelvic lymphadenectomy at our institution. In total, 58 patients were enrolled (Fig. 1). Their characteristics are presented in Table 1.

FIGURE 1.
  • Download figure
  • Open in new tab
  • Download powerpoint
FIGURE 1.

Flowchart for patient selection.

View this table:
  • View inline
  • View popup
TABLE 1

Patient Characteristics

All patients gave written informed consent for the anonymized evaluation and publication of their data. The analysis was approved by the local Ethics Committee (permit 290/18S). Administration of 18F-rhPSMA-7 complied with the German Medicinal Products Act, AMG §13 2b, and the responsible regulatory body (government of Oberbayern).

18F-rhPSMA-7 Synthesis, Administration, and PET Imaging

18F-rhPSMA-7 was synthesized as reported previously (15). 18F-rhPSMA-7 (median activity, 327 MBq; range 132–410 MBq) was administered as an intravenous bolus a median of 79.5 min (range, 60–153 min) before scanning. Thirty-nine patients underwent contrast-enhanced 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET/CT (Biograph mCT Flow; Siemens Medical Solutions). Nineteen patients underwent 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET/MRI (Biograph mMR; Siemens Medical Solutions). The PET/CT and PET/MRI acquisitions were conducted as described previously (18,19). All patients received diluted oral contrast medium (300 mg of ioxitalamate [Telebrix; Guerbet]).

All PET scans were acquired in 3-dimensional mode with an acquisition time of 2 min per bed position in flow technique (equals 1.1 mm/s) for PET/CT and 4 min per bed position for PET/MRI. Emission data were corrected for randoms, dead time, scatter, and attenuation and were reconstructed iteratively by an ordered-subsets expectation maximization algorithm (4 iterations, 8 subsets) followed by a postreconstruction smoothing gaussian filter (5 mm in full width at half maximum).

Image Analysis

All 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET/CT and PET/MRI datasets were reviewed by 2 experienced individuals (a board-certified radiologist and nuclear medicine specialist and a board-certified nuclear medicine specialist) who were masked to the postoperative histology results. The results were determined by consensus. In a first step, the anatomic data using the diagnostic contrast-enhanced CT dataset (PET/CT examinations) and the pelvic axial T2-weighted turbo spin-echo and the whole-body axial T2-weighted half-Fourier single-shot turbo spin-echo sequences (PET/MRI examinations) were analyzed. In a second step, after at least 4 wk, a second read of the corresponding 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET scan was performed. For the latter, anatomic images were used only for anatomic allocation of a suggestive focus of increased uptake to the corresponding lymph node template. In both reading sessions, each template was rated in PET and in CT or MRI using a 5-point Likert scale.

For PET, the following criteria were used: a rating of 1 indicated tumor manifestation (intense, focal 18F-rhPSMA-7 uptake higher than uptake in liver); 2, probable tumor manifestation (18F-rhPSMA-7 uptake clearly higher than the background level in vessels but not higher than liver); 3, equivocal findings (18F-rhPSMA-7 faint uptake between the background level in muscle and the background level in vessels); 4, probable benign findings (18F-rhPSMA-7 uptake as faint as the background level, e.g., equal to the level in adjacent muscle); and 5, benign findings (no 18F-rhPSMA-7 uptake). In the PET rating, anatomic images were used only for anatomic allocation of a suggestive focus of increased uptake to the corresponding lymph node field.

For morphologic imaging, the following criteria were used: a rating of 1 indicated tumor manifestation (short-axis diameter > 10mm); 2, probable tumor manifestation (short-axis diameter of 8–10 mm, a round configuration, and a regional grouping); 3, equivocal findings (short-axis diameter of 8–10 mm, an oval configuration, and no regional grouping); 4, probable benign findings (short-axis diameter < 8 mm); and 5, benign findings (short-axis diameter < 5mm).

Histopathology

During surgery, extended pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed as previously described (20,21). The following standard lymph node templates were collected separately: right/left common iliac vessel, right/left internal iliac vessel, right/left external iliac vessel, and right/left obturator fossa. When preoperative imaging showed 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET–positive lymph nodes outside these regions, additional templates (e.g., presacral/pararectal) were resected. The uropathologists were not aware of the preoperative imaging results.

Statistical Analysis

The histopathologic results from resected lymph nodes were correlated with the results of cross-sectional imaging (MRI or CT) and 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET in a patient- and template-based manner.

The overall diagnostic accuracy of patient-level data was assessed using receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) analyses. ROC curves were calculated for both modalities (18F-rhPSMA-7 PET and morphologic imaging). Areas under the ROC curves (AUCs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated and compared with each other. For patient-based analysis, the method of DeLong et al. (22) was used, and the approach proposed by Obuchowski (23) was considered for template-based analyses to account for correlations of multiple assessments within 1 patient.

To estimate sensitivities, specificities, and accuracies, a dichotomization of the semiquantitative 5-scale rating for PET and for CT or MRI was performed to conduct statistical analyses. The Youden index (sensitivity + specificity − 1) was used to determine the best cutoff for this analysis. In the patient-based analyses, exact CIs were estimated for these measures on the basis of the binomial distribution (Clopper–Pearson intervals). For the template-based analyses, logistical generalized-estimating-equation models were fitted to the data to account for the correlation of multiple observations within the same patient (24,25). For estimation of sensitivities with associated CIs, only templates with a positive histologic result were included, and the result of the diagnostic test was used as a dependent variable.

To derive estimates for the specificities, a variable indicating whether a negative test result was observed was used as a dependent variable, and only patients with a negative histopathologic result were included. Accuracy was estimated in an intercept-only model with a dependent variable that indicated whether the test result and the result of the histopathologic assessment agreed. For the generalized-estimating-equation model, an independent correlation structure was assumed. A significance level of 5% was considered for all tests. All statistical analyses were performed using the statistical software R (26), with its packages pROC (27) and geepack (28).

RESULTS

Histopathologic Results and ROC Analysis

Lymph node metastases were present in 52 of 375 resected templates (13.9%) in 18 of the 58 patients (31%). 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET revealed positivity of the local tumor in 57 patients (98.3%). One patient showed evidence of distant lymph node metastases and bone metastases (1.9%).

On patient-based analysis, ROC curves showed an AUC of 0.858 (95% CI, 0.739–0.978) for 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET and 0.649 (95% CI, 0.492–0.805) for morphologic imaging, for the detection of lymph node metastases (Fig. 2A). On template-based analysis, ROC curves showed an AUC of 0.766 (95% CI, 0.697–0.834) for 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET and 0.589 (95% CI, 0.522–0.656) for morphologic imaging alone (Fig. 2B). 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET performed significantly better than morphologic imaging alone on patient-based analysis (difference in AUCs, 0.210; 95% CI, 0.046–0.373; P = 0.012) and template-based analysis (difference in AUCs, 0.177; 95% CI, 0.104–0.249; P < 0.001).

FIGURE 2.
  • Download figure
  • Open in new tab
  • Download powerpoint
FIGURE 2.

ROC curves for 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET and morphologic imaging (MRI/CT) for primary lymph node staging of prostate cancer in patient-based analysis (A) and template-based analysis (B). Comparison to AUC of 0.5 is indicated by gray line.

For morphologic imaging, a score of 1, 2, or 3 on the Likert scale was regarded as positive, whereas a score of 4 or 5 was considered negative, on the basis of the Youden index. For 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET, a score of 1 or 2 was compared with a score of 3, 4, or 5. A representative example is presented in Figure 3.

FIGURE 3.
  • Download figure
  • Open in new tab
  • Download powerpoint
FIGURE 3.

Set of images from 71-y-old patient (Gleason score of 10, initial prostate-specific antigen level of 1.15 ng/mL). (A) Whole-body maximum-intensity projection displays local tumor and 1 suspected lesion (arrow). Local tumor is not detectable on CT (B) but shows increased tracer uptake on 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET (D) and PET/CT (F). CT (E) reveals suggestive finding (arrow), with 8-mm lymph node ventral to left external iliac vein; corresponding 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET (E) and PET/CT images (G) show intense uptake with high lesion-to-background ratio in this small lymph node, indicating lymph node metastasis. Radical prostatectomy with extended pelvic lymph node dissection confirmed single lymph node metastasis.

Diagnostic Performance on Patient-Based Analysis

Compared with histopathology, 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET detected 13 of 18 patients with histologically proven lymph node metastasis (sensitivity, 72.2%; 95% CI, 46.5%–90.3%) whereas 3 of 40 patients without lymph node metastases were positive on 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET (specificity, 92.5%; 95% CI, 79.6%–98.4%). In total, 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET showed an accuracy of 86.2% (95% CI, 74.6%–93.9%) on patient-based analysis (Table 2).

View this table:
  • View inline
  • View popup
TABLE 2

Patient-Based Diagnostic Accuracy of Cross-Sectional Imaging and 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET Compared with Histologic Findings for Lymph Node Metastasis

Morphologic imaging alone correctly classified 9 of 18 patients as positive and 29 of 40 patients as negative for lymph node metastases, resulting in a sensitivity of 50.0% (95% CI, 26.0%–74.0%), a specificity of 72.5% (95% CI, 56.1%–85.4%), and an accuracy of 65.5% (95% CI, 51.9%–77.5%) (Table 2).

PET and morphologic imaging revealed concordant correct results (both true-positive and true-negative) in 35 of 58 patients (60.3%) and concordant false results in 5 (8.6%). Discordant results were obtained in 18 patients (31%). Histologic evaluation revealed that PET imaging gave true-positive and true-negative results in 15 of these 18 patients (83.3%) with discordant results. 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET reported both fewer false-positives and fewer false-negatives than morphologic imaging (3 vs. 11 patients and 5 vs. 9 patients, respectively).

Diagnostic Performance on Template-Based Analysis

Compared with histopathology, 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET detected 28 of 52 templates with histologically proven lymph node metastasis (sensitivity, 53.8%; 95% CI, 41.3%–66.0%), whereas 10 of 323 templates without lymph node metastases were positive on 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET (specificity, 96.9%; 95% CI, 91.4%–98.9%). In total, 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET showed an accuracy of 90.9% (95% CI, 85.7%–94.4%) on a template-based analysis (Table 3).

View this table:
  • View inline
  • View popup
TABLE 3

Template-Based Diagnostic Accuracy of Cross-Sectional Imaging and 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET Compared with Histologic Findings for Lymph Node Metastasis

Cross-sectional imaging alone correctly classified 5 of 52 templates as positive and 307 of 323 templates as negative for lymph node metastases, resulting in a sensitivity of 9.6% (95% CI, 4.5%–19.3%), a specificity of 95.0% (95% CI, 92.2%–96.9%), and an accuracy of 83.2% (95% CI, 76.5%–88.3%) (Table 3).

The median size of the lymph node metastases not detected by 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET was 4.5 mm (range, 0.3–15 mm). In 2 patients, the histopathologically false-positive results of 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET were challenged.

Follow-up data retrieved from the postoperative clinical course for 2 patients revealed that lymph node templates that had been assigned as false-positives with18F-rhPSMA-7 PET were in fact true-positives. In 1 patient with a persistently elevated level of prostate-specific antigen postoperatively, subsequent imaging 4 mo later revealed persistent PSMA-ligand positivity in the initial region. A subsequent second targeted lymphadenectomy found a lymph node metastasis (Supplemental Fig. 1; supplemental materials are available at http://jnm.snmjournals.org). In a second patient, radiation planning (4 mo after the scan and after the operation) showed that the lesions in the right obturator and left common iliac lymph nodes had not been removed but decreased in size, most likely because of the start of androgen deprivation therapy after surgery. Updated statistics corrected for this information are presented in Supplemental Table 2.

DISCUSSION

The results of this retrospective analysis indicate that PET with the novel PSMA ligand 18F-rhPSMA-7 shows high diagnostic accuracy for N-staging in patients with primary high-risk PC. Its efficacy is superior to that of morphologic imaging, which is recommended by most guidelines (3).

Accurate localization of lesions, particularly to lymph nodes in patients with high-risk PC, is essential to optimize treatment planning. In particular, the identification of lymph node metastases is an unmet clinical need for noninvasive imaging given its adverse prognostic implications (4). Morphologic imaging, using CT and MRI, has high variability in diagnostic performance for lymph node metastases (29). Characterization of lymph nodes solely by size is of limited use, as up to 80% of metastatic lymph nodes are normal-sized (<8 mm) (30,31). Moreover, PET with 11C- or 18F-labeled choline derivatives is not recommended for first-line staging in patients with intermediate- to high-risk PC (3).

Currently, PSMA ligands are increasingly used in PC work-up. They specifically target PC cells irrespective of their metabolic state (32) and offer a favorable lesion-to-background ratio for detection of metastatic lymph nodes, as normal lymphatic or retroperitoneal fatty tissue does not express PSMA.

The present results clearly indicate that 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET performs significantly better than morphologic imaging techniques. This difference is even more pronounced in the template-based analysis, in which the sensitivity of morphologic imaging dropped to 9.6% (95% CI, 4.5%–19.3%). The accuracy of 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET was 86% and 91%, versus 66% and 83% for morphologic imaging, for patient- and template-based analyses, respectively.

Compared with 68Ga-PSMA-11, 18F-rhPSMA-7 seems to perform equally well. In a subcohort of 88 high-risk patients, Maurer et al. reported a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 67%, 98%, and 84%, respectively, compared with 72%, 93%, and 86% for 18F-rhPSMA-7 (33). Several metaanalyses have summarized published data on the performance of 68Ga-PSMA-11 for N-staging; Hope et al. summarized data from 266 patients for initial staging and reported a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of 74%, 96%, 93%, 85%, and 86%, respectively (34). Corfield et al. (12) reported ranges for sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value of 33%–92%, 64%–91%, 83%–96%, and 80%–96%, respectively, across their analysis of over 200 patients. Similar pooled data have been published by von Eyben et al. (35) and Perera et al. (13). Despite a considerable range in sensitivity in the reported studies, specificity was consistently high in nearly all reports (Supplemental Table 1), as was observed in the current analysis for 18F-rhPSMA-7. Only a limited comparison with other 18F-labeled PSMA ligands is possible because of a paucity of published data. For 18F-DCFPyl, Gorin et al. reported data from a small prospective evaluation of 25 patients—a sensitivity and specificity of 71.4% (95% CI, 29.0–96.3) and 88.9% (95% CI, 65.3–98.6), respectively (36). It is noteworthy that in our study the specificity on the template-based analysis was slightly underestimated because 2 templates designated as false-positive were in fact true-positive as indicated by follow-up data (adjusted statistics in Supplemental Table 2). The problem of incomplete resection of even preoperatively known lymph node metastases has been recently reported (37). A potential solution could be the application of radioguided surgery as known in recurrent disease (38).

Notably in our study, nearly all patients (98.3%; 57/58) expressed high 18F-rhPSMA-7 uptake in the local tumor. One patient with a negative primary tumor was not found to have any lymph node metastases by histopathology. As known from 68Ga-PSMA-11, size is critical for lesion detection (39). In the present data, the mean size of negative lymph node templates is similar to that previously reported by Maurer et al. (3.5 mm) (33).

The novel PSMA ligand 18F-rhPSMA-7 offers several advantages over more established PSMA-based tracers, such as 68Ga-PSMA-11, and has already shown encouraging data for detection efficacy in biochemical recurrence (40). The considerably longer half-life of 110 min yields the advantages of easier handling and potential wide-range distribution due to large-scale cyclotron-based production of 18F. Furthermore, spatial resolution might be improved by a lower positron range (41). However, compared with literature on 68Ga-PSMA-11, our results do not reveal significant diagnostic improvements. Nevertheless, compared with 18F-PSMA-1007 and 18F-DCFPyl, potential benefits may arise from the radiohybrid concept, facilitating the use of 68Ga and therapeutic nuclides that offer not only 68Ga-based imaging for remote locations using a generator but also the ability to exploit applications for theranostics (e.g., exact pretherapy PET dosimetry for treatment planning).

Our analysis has limitations. First, it was retrospective and on a limited number of patients. Second, we had to restrict it to a template-based approach, as single lymph node correlations between imaging and surgery are not feasible. However, the analysis was performed in a rigorous fashion and provided substantial evidence for future prospective trials. Third, PSMA immunohistochemistry was not performed for lymph node metastases. However, for N-staging, routine hematoxylin and eosin staining is usually sufficient. Only in cases of a second primary tumor would PSMA immunohistochemistry be helpful to investigate its etiology. Fourth, as this analysis was primarily intended to investigate the potential of 18F-rhPSMA-7 for N-staging, no detailed analysis of its potential for describing the intraprostatic tumor extent or distant disease was performed. Fifth, given that only patients who subsequently underwent surgery were included in the study, the potential of 18F-rhPSMA-7 to detect organ (e.g., bone) metastases could not be investigated in this analysis.

CONCLUSION

N-staging of high-risk primary PC with 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET is superior to that with morphologic imaging. The efficacy of 18F-rhPSMA-7 is similar to that of published data for 68Ga-PSMA-11 and offers the additional logistical and economic advantages of radiofluorination.

DISCLOSURE

Hans-Jürgen Wester, Alexander Wurzer, and Matthias Eiber are named as inventors on a patent application for rhPSMA. Hans-Jürgen Wester and Matthias Eiber received funding from the SFB 824 (DFG Sonderforschungsbereich 824, project B11) from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Bonn, Germany, and from Blue Earth Diagnostics Ltd. (licensee for rhPSMA) as part of an academic collaboration. Hans-Jürgen Wester is a founder, shareholder, and advisory board member of Scintomics GmbH, Fuerstenfeldbruck, Germany. Matthias Eiber and Wolfgang Weber are consultants for Blue Earth Diagnostics Ltd. No other potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

KEY POINTS

  • QUESTION: What is the diagnostic efficacy of 18F-rhPSMA-7 in N-staging of high-risk PC in the primary setting?

  • PERTINENT FINDINGS: Compared with morphologic imaging, 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET provides superior N-staging of high-risk primary PC. The efficacy of 18F-rhPSMA-7 is similar to that of published data for 68Ga-PSMA-11 and offers the additional logistical and economic advantages of radiofluorination.

  • IMPLICATIONS FOR PATIENT CARE: 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET can benefit patients by significantly improving primary N-staging.

Footnotes

  • Published online Dec. 13, 2019.

  • © 2020 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.

REFERENCES

  1. 1.↵
    1. Torre LA,
    2. Bray F,
    3. Siegel RL,
    4. Ferlay J,
    5. Lortet-Tieulent J,
    6. Jemal A
    . Global cancer statistics, 2012. CA Cancer J Clin. 2015;65:87–108.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  2. 2.↵
    1. Cheng L,
    2. Zincke H,
    3. Blute ML,
    4. Bergstralh EJ,
    5. Scherer B,
    6. Bostwick DG
    . Risk of prostate carcinoma death in patients with lymph node metastasis. Cancer. 2001;91:66–73.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  3. 3.↵
    1. Mottet N,
    2. Bellmunt J,
    3. Bolla M,
    4. et al
    . EAU-ESTRO-SIOG guidelines on prostate cancer: part 1—screening, diagnosis, and local treatment with curative intent. Eur Urol. 2017;71:618–629.
    OpenUrl
  4. 4.↵
    1. Kothari PS,
    2. Scardino PT,
    3. Ohori M,
    4. Kattan MW,
    5. Wheeler TM
    . Incidence, location, and significance of periprostatic and periseminal vesicle lymph nodes in prostate cancer. Am J Surg Pathol. 2001;25:1429–1432.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  5. 5.↵
    1. Danella JF,
    2. deKernion JB,
    3. Smith RB,
    4. Steckel J
    . The contemporary incidence of lymph node metastases in prostate cancer: implications for laparoscopic lymph node dissection. J Urol. 1993;149:1488–1491.
    OpenUrlPubMed
  6. 6.
    1. Partin AW,
    2. Mangold LA,
    3. Lamm DM,
    4. Walsh PC,
    5. Epstein JI,
    6. Pearson JD
    . Contemporary update of prostate cancer staging nomograms (Partin tables) for the new millennium. Urology. 2001;58:843–848.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  7. 7.↵
    1. Gervasi LA,
    2. Mata J,
    3. Easley JD,
    4. et al
    . Prognostic significance of lymph nodal metastases in prostate cancer. J Urol. 1989;142:332–336.
    OpenUrlPubMed
  8. 8.↵
    1. Campbell SC,
    2. Klein EA,
    3. Levin HS,
    4. Piedmonte MR
    . Open pelvic lymph node dissection for prostate cancer: a reassessment. Urology. 1995;46:352–355.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  9. 9.↵
    1. Briganti A,
    2. Blute ML,
    3. Eastham JH,
    4. et al
    . Pelvic lymph node dissection in prostate cancer. Eur Urol. 2009;55:1251–1265.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  10. 10.↵
    1. Briganti A,
    2. Abdollah F,
    3. Nini A,
    4. et al
    . Performance characteristics of computed tomography in detecting lymph node metastases in contemporary patients with prostate cancer treated with extended pelvic lymph node dissection. Eur Urol. 2012;61:1132–1138.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  11. 11.↵
    1. Evangelista L,
    2. Guttilla A,
    3. Zattoni F,
    4. Muzzio PC,
    5. Zattoni F
    . Utility of choline positron emission tomography/computed tomography for lymph node involvement identification in intermediate- to high-risk prostate cancer: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Eur Urol. 2013;63:1040–1048.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  12. 12.↵
    1. Corfield J,
    2. Perera M,
    3. Bolton D,
    4. Lawrentschuk N
    . 68Ga-prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET) for primary staging of high-risk prostate cancer: a systematic review. World J Urol. 2018;36:519–527.
    OpenUrl
  13. 13.↵
    1. Perera M,
    2. Papa N,
    3. Christidis D,
    4. et al
    . Sensitivity, specificity, and predictors of positive 68Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography in advanced prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Urol. 2016;70:926–937.
    OpenUrl
  14. 14.↵
    1. Giesel FL,
    2. Hadaschik B,
    3. Cardinale J,
    4. et al
    . F-18 labelled PSMA-1007: biodistribution, radiation dosimetry and histopathological validation of tumor lesions in prostate cancer patients. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2017;44:678–688.
    OpenUrl
  15. 15.↵
    1. Wurzer A,
    2. Di Carlo D,
    3. Schmidt A,
    4. et al
    . Radiohybrid ligands: a novel tracer concept exemplified by 18F- or 68Ga-labeled rhPSMA-inhibitors. J Nucl Med. 2020;61:735–742.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  16. 16.↵
    1. Oh SW,
    2. Wurzer A,
    3. Teoh EJ,
    4. et al
    . Quantitative and qualitative analyses of biodistribution and PET image quality of a novel radiohybrid PSMA, 18F-rhPSMA-7, in patients with prostate cancer. J Nucl Med. 2020;61:702–709.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  17. 17.↵
    1. D’Amico AV,
    2. Whittington R,
    3. Malkowicz SB,
    4. et al
    . Biochemical outcome after radical prostatectomy, external beam radiation therapy, or interstitial radiation therapy for clinically localized prostate cancer. JAMA. 1998;280:969–974.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  18. 18.↵
    1. Souvatzoglou M,
    2. Eiber M,
    3. Martinez-Moeller A,
    4. et al
    . PET/MR in prostate cancer: technical aspects and potential diagnostic value. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2013;40(suppl 1):S79–S88.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  19. 19.↵
    1. Eiber M,
    2. Maurer T,
    3. Souvatzoglou M,
    4. et al
    . Evaluation of hybrid 68Ga-PSMA ligand PET/CT in 248 patients with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy. J Nucl Med. 2015;56:668–674.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  20. 20.↵
    1. Heck MM,
    2. Retz M,
    3. Bandur M,
    4. et al
    . Topography of lymph node metastases in prostate cancer patients undergoing radical prostatectomy and extended lymphadenectomy: results of a combined molecular and histopathologic mapping study. Eur Urol. 2014;66:222–229.
    OpenUrl
  21. 21.↵
    1. Maurer T,
    2. Souvatzoglou M,
    3. Kubler H,
    4. et al
    . Diagnostic efficacy of [11C]choline positron emission tomography/computed tomography compared with conventional computed tomography in lymph node staging of patients with bladder cancer prior to radical cystectomy. Eur Urol. 2012;61:1031–1038.
    OpenUrlPubMed
  22. 22.↵
    1. DeLong ER,
    2. DeLong DM,
    3. Clarke-Pearson DL
    . Comparing the areas under two or more correlated receiver operating characteristic curves: a nonparametric approach. Biometrics. 1988;44:837–845.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  23. 23.↵
    1. Obuchowski NA
    . Nonparametric analysis of clustered ROC curve data. Biometrics. 1997;53:567–578.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  24. 24.↵
    1. Smith PJ,
    2. Hadgu A
    . Sensitivity and specificity for correlated observations. Stat Med. 1992;11:1503–1509.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  25. 25.↵
    1. Zeger SL,
    2. Liang KY
    . Longitudinal data analysis for discrete and continuous outcomes. Biometrics. 1986;42:121–130.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  26. 26.↵
    The R project for statistical computing. R website. https://www.R-project.org/. Accessed January 8, 2020.
  27. 27.↵
    1. Robin X,
    2. Turck N,
    3. Hainard A,
    4. et al
    . pROC: an open-source package for R and S+ to analyze and compare ROC curves. BMC Bioinformatics. 2011;12:77.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  28. 28.↵
    1. Halekoh U,
    2. Hojsgaard S,
    3. Yan J
    . The R package geepack for generalized estimating equations. J Stat Softw. 2006;15:1–11.
    OpenUrlCrossRef
  29. 29.↵
    1. Hövels AM,
    2. Heesakkers RA,
    3. Adang EM,
    4. et al
    . The diagnostic accuracy of CT and MRI in the staging of pelvic lymph nodes in patients with prostate cancer: a meta-analysis. Clin Radiol. 2008;63:387–395.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  30. 30.↵
    1. Tiguert R,
    2. Gheiler EL,
    3. Tefilli MV,
    4. et al
    . Lymph node size does not correlate with the presence of prostate cancer metastasis. Urology. 1999;53:367–371.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  31. 31.↵
    1. Heesakkers RA,
    2. Hovels AM,
    3. Jager GJ,
    4. et al
    . MRI with a lymph-node-specific contrast agent as an alternative to CT scan and lymph-node dissection in patients with prostate cancer: a prospective multicohort study. Lancet Oncol. 2008;9:850–856.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  32. 32.↵
    1. Afshar-Oromieh A,
    2. Haberkorn U,
    3. Eder M,
    4. Eisenhut M,
    5. Zechmann CM
    . [68Ga]gallium-labelled PSMA ligand as superior PET tracer for the diagnosis of prostate cancer: comparison with 18F-FECH. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2012;39:1085–1086.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  33. 33.↵
    1. Maurer T,
    2. Gschwend JE,
    3. Rauscher I,
    4. et al
    . Diagnostic efficacy of 68gallium-PSMA positron emission tomography compared to conventional imaging for lymph node staging of 130 consecutive patients with intermediate to high risk prostate cancer. J Urol. 2016;195:1436–1443.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  34. 34.↵
    1. Hope TA,
    2. Goodman JZ,
    3. Allen IE,
    4. Calais J,
    5. Fendler WP,
    6. Carroll PR
    . Meta-analysis of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET accuracy for the detection of prostate cancer validated by histopathology. J Nucl Med. 2019;60:786–793.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  35. 35.↵
    1. von Eyben FE,
    2. Picchio M,
    3. von Eyben R,
    4. Rhee H,
    5. Bauman G
    . 68Ga-labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen ligand positron emission tomography/computed tomography for prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Urol Focus. 2018;4:686–693.
    OpenUrl
  36. 36.↵
    1. Gorin MA,
    2. Rowe SP,
    3. Patel HD,
    4. et al
    . Prostate specific membrane antigen targeted 18F-DCFPyL positron emission tomography/computerized tomography for the preoperative staging of high risk prostate cancer: results of a prospective, phase II, single center study. J Urol. 2018;199:126–132.
    OpenUrl
  37. 37.↵
    1. Farolfi A,
    2. Gafita A,
    3. Calais J,
    4. et al
    . 68Ga-PSMA-11 positron emission tomography detects residual prostate cancer after prostatectomy in a multicenter retrospective study. J Urol. 2019;202:1174–1181.
    OpenUrl
  38. 38.↵
    1. Maurer T,
    2. Robu S,
    3. Schottelius M,
    4. et al
    . 99mTechnetium-based prostate-specific membrane antigen-radioguided surgery in recurrent prostate cancer. Eur Urol. 2019;75:659–666.
    OpenUrl
  39. 39.↵
    1. Jilg CA,
    2. Drendel V,
    3. Rischke HC,
    4. et al
    . Diagnostic accuracy of Ga-68-HBED-CC-PSMA-ligand-PET/CT before salvage lymph node dissection for recurrent prostate cancer. Theranostics. 2017;7:1770–1780.
    OpenUrl
  40. 40.↵
    1. Eiber M,
    2. Kroenke N,
    3. Wurzer A,
    4. et al
    . 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET for the detection of biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy. J Nucl Med. 2020;61:696–701.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  41. 41.↵
    1. Cho ZH,
    2. Chan JK,
    3. Ericksson L,
    4. et al
    . Positron ranges obtained from biomedically important positron-emitting radionuclides. J Nucl Med. 1975;16:1174–1176.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  • Received for publication August 8, 2019.
  • Accepted for publication December 3, 2019.
PreviousNext
Back to top

In this issue

Journal of Nuclear Medicine: 61 (5)
Journal of Nuclear Medicine
Vol. 61, Issue 5
May 1, 2020
  • Table of Contents
  • Table of Contents (PDF)
  • About the Cover
  • Index by author
Print
Download PDF
Article Alerts
Sign In to Email Alerts with your Email Address
Email Article

Thank you for your interest in spreading the word on Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

NOTE: We only request your email address so that the person you are recommending the page to knows that you wanted them to see it, and that it is not junk mail. We do not capture any email address.

Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas.
Histologically Confirmed Diagnostic Efficacy of 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET for N-Staging of Patients with Primary High-Risk Prostate Cancer
(Your Name) has sent you a message from Journal of Nuclear Medicine
(Your Name) thought you would like to see the Journal of Nuclear Medicine web site.
Citation Tools
Histologically Confirmed Diagnostic Efficacy of 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET for N-Staging of Patients with Primary High-Risk Prostate Cancer
Markus Kroenke, Alexander Wurzer, Kristina Schwamborn, Lena Ulbrich, Lena Jooß, Tobias Maurer, Thomas Horn, Isabel Rauscher, Bernhard Haller, Michael Herz, Hans-Jürgen Wester, Wolfgang A. Weber, Matthias Eiber
Journal of Nuclear Medicine May 2020, 61 (5) 710-715; DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.119.234906

Citation Manager Formats

  • BibTeX
  • Bookends
  • EasyBib
  • EndNote (tagged)
  • EndNote 8 (xml)
  • Medlars
  • Mendeley
  • Papers
  • RefWorks Tagged
  • Ref Manager
  • RIS
  • Zotero
Share
Histologically Confirmed Diagnostic Efficacy of 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET for N-Staging of Patients with Primary High-Risk Prostate Cancer
Markus Kroenke, Alexander Wurzer, Kristina Schwamborn, Lena Ulbrich, Lena Jooß, Tobias Maurer, Thomas Horn, Isabel Rauscher, Bernhard Haller, Michael Herz, Hans-Jürgen Wester, Wolfgang A. Weber, Matthias Eiber
Journal of Nuclear Medicine May 2020, 61 (5) 710-715; DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.119.234906
Twitter logo Facebook logo LinkedIn logo Mendeley logo
  • Tweet Widget
  • Facebook Like
  • Google Plus One
Bookmark this article

Jump to section

  • Article
    • Abstract
    • MATERIALS AND METHODS
    • RESULTS
    • DISCUSSION
    • CONCLUSION
    • DISCLOSURE
    • Footnotes
    • REFERENCES
  • Figures & Data
  • Supplemental
  • Info & Metrics
  • PDF

Related Articles

  • This Month in JNM
  • PubMed
  • Google Scholar

Cited By...

  • Diagnostic Efficacy of Various Imaging Modalities Across Different Stages of Prostate Cancer: A Network Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Studies
  • Validation of 18F-rhPSMA-7 and 18F-rhPSMA-7.3 PET Imaging Results with Histopathology from Salvage Surgery in Patients with Biochemical Recurrence of Prostate Cancer
  • Synthesis and Preclinical Evaluation of 177Lu-Labeled Radiohybrid PSMA Ligands for Endoradiotherapy of Prostate Cancer
  • 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET for the Detection of Biochemical Recurrence of Prostate Cancer After Curative-Intent Radiation Therapy: A Bicentric Retrospective Study
  • Pretherapeutic Comparative Dosimetry of 177Lu-rhPSMA-7.3 and 177Lu-PSMA I&T in Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
  • The Influence of Specific Activity on the Biodistribution of 18F-rhPSMA-7.3: A Retrospective Analysis of Clinical PET Data
  • Detection Efficacy of 18F-rhPSMA-7.3 PET/CT and Impact on Management in Patients with Biochemical Recurrence of Prostate Cancer After Radical Prostatectomy and Before Potential Salvage Treatment
  • Matched-Pair Comparison of 68Ga-PSMA-11 and 18F-rhPSMA-7 PET/CT in Patients with Primary and Biochemical Recurrence of Prostate Cancer: Frequency of Non-Tumor-Related Uptake and Tumor Positivity
  • Comparative Preclinical Biodistribution, Dosimetry, and Endoradiotherapy in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Using 19F/177Lu-rhPSMA-7.3 and 177Lu-PSMA I&T
  • Diagnostic Accuracy of 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT Imaging for Lymph Node Staging of Prostate Carcinoma in Primary and Biochemical Recurrence
  • Google Scholar

More in this TOC Section

Theranostics

  • Determination of the Intralesional Distribution of Theranostic 124I-Omburtamab Convection-Enhanced Delivery in Treatment of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma
  • Evidence-Based Clinical Protocols to Monitor Efficacy of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA Radiopharmaceutical Therapy in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Using Real-World Data
  • 177Lu-Labeled Anticlaudin 6 Monoclonal Antibody for Targeted Therapy in Esophageal Cancer
Show more Theranostics

Clinical

  • TauIQ: A Canonical Image Based Algorithm to Quantify Tau PET Scans
  • Dual PET Imaging in Bronchial Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: The NETPET Score as a Prognostic Biomarker
  • Addition of 131I-MIBG to PRRT (90Y-DOTATOC) for Personalized Treatment of Selected Patients with Neuroendocrine Tumors
Show more Clinical

Similar Articles

Keywords

  • hybrid imaging
  • lymph nodes
  • N-staging
  • PET
  • prostate cancer
  • prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)
SNMMI

© 2025 SNMMI

Powered by HighWire