Study Links PSMA PET/CT to 5-Year Outcomes, Informing Salvage Treatment After Prostatectomy

Overview

• Researchers analyzed 113 men at UCLA with biochemical recurrence after surgery who underwent PSMA PET/CT staging, with scans performed at a median PSA of 0.4 ng/mL.
• Patients with no visible disease on PSMA PET/CT had the most favorable progression-free survival, and whole-pelvis radiotherapy offered no added benefit over prostate-bed radiotherapy in this group.
• Whole-pelvis radiotherapy significantly improved progression-free survival only for patients with local, scan-visible recurrence, while androgen deprivation therapy was linked to better outcomes when nodal or distant metastases were detected.
• PSA level was not strongly associated with long-term response, and scan findings frequently changed treatment recommendations, according to the lead investigator.
• Reported five-year outcomes included 48.7% progression-free survival, 72.4% freedom from distant progression, 97.1% overall survival, and more than 80% of patients avoiding additional systemic therapy.