Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen Expression in Meningioma: A Promising Theranostic Target

Meningioma is the most common intracranial neoplasm, yet there is no effective therapy for recurrent/refractory meningiomas after surgery and radiation. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is an enzyme upregulated on endothelial cells of multiple neoplasms and is being investigated as a theranostic target. Until now, PSMA has not been studied in meningiomas. We aimed to verify PSMA endothelial expression in meningiomas, detect tumor grade variability, and investigate the relationship of PSMA signal with tumor recurrence. We analyzed 96 archival meningiomas including 58 de novo and 38 recurrent specimens. All specimens were stained routinely and immunostained for CD31 and PSMA. Slides were scanned and analyzed producing raw data for images of PSMA, CD31, PSMA/CD31, and PSMA/vasculature. PSMA expression was seen within 98.9% of meningioma samples. In the total cohort, higher-grade tumors had increased expression of raw PSMA and PSMA/CD31, and PSMA/vasculature ratios compared to grade 1 tumors. PSMA expression and PSMA/vasculature ratios (p = 0.0015) were higher in recurrent versus de novo tumors among paired samples. ROC curves demonstrated PSMA/CD31, PSMA/vasculature, and raw CD31 as indicators of tumor recurrence. Thus, PSMA is expressed within endothelial cells of meningiomas, is increased with tumor grade and recurrence, and persists with prior irradiation.

Automated summary

This study found that PSMA is expressed within the endothelial cells of meningiomas and its expression is increased in recurrent and high-grade tumors. This finding may contribute to the development of new treatment strategies for meningiomas.