68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT: a new technique with high potential for the radiotherapeutic management of prostate cancer patients

Purpose Radiotherapy is the main therapeutic approach besides surgery of localized prostate cancer. It relies on risk stratification and exact staging. This report analyses the potential of [Ga-68]Glu-urea-Lys(Ahx)-HBED-CC (Ga-68-PSMA-11), a new positron emission tomography (PET) tracer targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) for prostate cancer staging and individualized radiotherapy planning. Methods A cohort of 57 patients with prostate cancer scanned with Ga-68-PSMA-11 PET/CT for radiotherapy planning was retrospectively reviewed; 15 patients were at initial diagnosis and 42 patients at time of biochemical recurrence. Staging results of conventional imaging, including bone scintigraphy, CT or MRI, were compared with Ga-68-PSMA ligand PET/CT results and the influence on radiotherapeutic management was quantified. Results Ga-68-PSMA ligand PET/CT had a dramatic impact on radiotherapy application in the presented cohort. In 50.8 % of the cases therapy was changed. Conclusion The presented imaging technique of Ga-68-PSMA PET/CT could be a key technology for individualized radiotherapy management in prostate cancer.