Dr. Fendler on Impact of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET on Prostate Cancer Management

Wolfgang Fendler, MD, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, discusses the utility and pending FDA approval of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET in prostate cancer.

The identification of disease via 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET imaging led to management changes in patients with biochemically recurrent prostate cancer. The change was in 68% of patients with any change in management after 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET imaging. About 48% of physicians considered an intended change and patients were then given a different type of treatment that was not considered before.

The types of changes investigators observed were the addition of chemotherapy in a patient who had disease or lesions outside the usual operating field, says Fendler. Typical changes also included the addition of radiation therapy in patients who had lymph nodes detected in the pelvis or who have localized disease; these patients often underwent additional radiation therapy in order for treatment to be more effective.

Several entities are actively working on an FDA approval of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET, adds Fendler, which is anticipated within 1 year or so. If approved, the test will become available, and thus, will be used more often. Before decisions are made, patients will undergo additional imaging to inform further management, concludes Fendler.