The value of anti-1-amino-3-18F-fluorocyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid PET/CT in the diagnosis of recurrent prostate carcinoma: a meta-analysis

Objectives Anti-1-amino-3-[18F]fluorocyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid (anti-3-18F-FACBC) PET/CT has been used for detecting prostate carcinoma relapse. The aim of this study was to systematically review and perform a meta-analysis of published data regarding the performance of 18F-FACBC PET/CT in the diagnosis of recurrent prostate carcinoma.

Methods A comprehensive review of the literature regarding the role of 18F-FACBC PET/CT in the diagnosis of recurrent prostate carcinoma. Pooled sensitivity, specificity and the area under the receiver-operating characteristic of 18F-FACBC PET/CT in the diagnosis of recurrent prostate carcinoma were calculated based on these inclusive study.

Results Six studies comprising 251 patients, suspicious of prostate carcinoma recurrence, were included into this meta-analysis. 18F-FACBC PET/CT had a 87% pooled sensitivity, 66% pooled specificity, 0.93 the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve on a per patient-based analysis in detecting prostate carcinoma recurrence.

Conclusions 18F-FACBC PET/CT was an accurate, noninvasive, metabolic imaging technique in the diagnosis of prostate carcinoma relapse. 18F-FACBC PET/CT is an upcoming diagnostic modality in the diagnosis of prostate carcinoma relapse.