PSMA-PET/CT is a suitable replacement for conventional imaging in the primary staging of PCa. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the correlation between parameters discovered by PSMA PET/CT in primary staging and either prostate histopathology (pT) findings or PSMA-IHC expression in a cohort of biopsy-proven high-risk PCa candidates for surgery. Clinical information (age, iPSA-value, and grading group) and PSMA-PET/CT parameters (SUVmax, PSMA tumor volume [PSMA-TV], and total lesion [PSMA-TL]) were compared with pT (including histologic pattern, Gleason grade, and lymphovascular invasion [LVI]) and PSMA-IHC features, including visual quantification (VS) with a four-tiered score (0 = negative, 1+ = weak, 2+ = moderate, 3+ = strong), growth pattern (infiltrative vs expansive), and visual pattern (cytoplasmic vs membranous). In total, 44 patients were enrolled, with a median age of 67 (IQR 57-77); the median iPSA was 9.4 ng/dL (IQR 12.5-6.0). One patient (3%) was grading group (GG) 3, 27/44 (61%) were GG4, and 16/44 (36%) were GG5. PSMA-PET/CT detection rate for the presence of primary prostate cancer was 100%. Fused/poorly formed Gleason grade 4 features were predominant (22/44–50%); a cribriform pattern was present in 18/44 (41%) and acinar in 4/44 (9%). We found that lower PSMA-TVs were mostly related to acinar, while higher PSMA-TVs correlated with a higher probability to have a cribriform pattern (p-value 0.04). LVI was present in 21/44(48%) patients. We found that higher PSMA-TV and PSMA-TL are predictive of LVI p-value 0.002 and p-value 0.01, respectively. There was no correlation between PET-parameters and perineural invasion (PNI), probably because this was present in almost all the patients. Moreover, patients with high PSMA-TL values displayed the highest PSMA-IHC expression (VS3+) with a membranous pattern. In conclusion, PSMA-TV and PSMA-TL are predictors of a cribriform pattern and LVI. These conditions are mostly related to higher aggressiveness and worse outcomes.
29 August 2024 in European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
Purpose: In metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), some patients show low/absent PSMA expression in tumour lesions on positron emission tomography (PET) scans, indicating heterogeneity and heightened risk of non-response to PSMA-RLT (radioligand therapy). Imaging cancer-associated fibroblasts and glucose uptake may further characterise tumour heterogeneity in mCRPC patients. Here, we aimed to evaluate tumour heterogeneity and its potential implications for management in mCRPC patients assessed for PSMA-RLT using [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-46, 2-[18F]FDG and [68Ga]Ga-/[18F]F-PSMA-11/-1007 PET. Material and Methods: Patients with advanced, progressive mCRPC underwent clinical [68Ga]Ga-/[18F]F-PSMA-11/-1007, 2-[18F]FDG and [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 PET/CT to evaluate treatment with PSMA-directed RLT. Tumour detection/semiquantitative parameters were compared on a per-lesion/-region basis. Two phenotypes were defined: Criteria for the mixed phenotype were: (a) PSMA-negative findings for lymph node metastases ≥ 2.5 cm, any solid organ metastases ≥ 1.0 cm, or bone metastases with soft tissue component ≥ 1.0 cm, (b) low [68Ga]Ga-/[18F]F-PSMA-11/-1007 uptake and/or (c) balanced tumour uptake of all radioligands. The PSMA-dominant phenotype was assigned if the criteria were not met. Results: In ten patients, 472 lesions were detected on all imaging modalities (miTNM regions: M1b: 327 (69.3%), M1a: 95 (20.1%), N1: 26 (5.5%), M1c: 18 (3.8%), T: 5 (1.1%) and Tr: 1 (0.2%). [68Ga]Ga-/[18F]F-PSMA-11/-1007 (n = 453 (96.0%)) demonstrates the highest detection rate, followed by [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 (n = 268 (56.8%))/2-[18F]FDG (n = 241 (51.1%)). Semiquantitative uptake was highest for [68Ga]Ga-/[18F]F-PSMA-11/-1007 (mean SUVmax (interquartile range): 22.7 (22.5), vs. [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 (7.7 (3.7)) and 2-[18F]FDG (6.8 (4.7)). Seven/three patients were retrospectively assigned to the PSMA-dominant/mixed phenotype. Median overall survival was significantly longer for patients who underwent [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 RLT and were retrospectively assigned to the PSMA-dominant phenotype (19.7 vs. 9.3 months). Conclusion: Through whole-body imaging, we identify considerable inter- and intra-patient heterogeneity of mCRPC and potential imaging phenotypes. Regarding uptake and tumour detection, [68Ga]Ga-/[18F]F-PSMA-11/-1007 was superior to [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 and 2-[18F]FDG, while the latter two were comparable. Patients who underwent [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 RLT based on clinical-decision making had a longer overall survival and could be assigned to the PSMA-dominant phenotype. Graphical
This case report describes a patient with pericarditis likely attributed to influenza vaccination (positive rechallenge), with a literature review. A 87-year old patient developed pericarditis after influenza vaccination, with acute chest pain, without ECG abnormalities or increased cardiac enzyme levels. Echocardiogram showed moderate pericardial effusion. Recovery was obtained through steroids One year later, few days after re-immunization, the patient experienced the same symptoms and was admitted to hospital with diagnosis of recurrence of pericarditis with severe pericardial effusion, again treated with steroids. Other possible causes were ruled out and the cardiologist recommended against influenza vaccinations in the future; the patient did not experience recurrence of pericarditis in the following 6 years. Cases of pericarditis following influenza immunization in the literature were also reviewed. Pericarditis following immunization for influenza is very rarely reported in the literature. In a few cases, influenza vaccination seems likely responsible. We suggest considering recent immunization in patient’s history as part of the differential diagnosis in elderly with chest pain.
Background: Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen-Positron Emission Tomography (PSMA-PET) is currently recommended to restage prostate cancer (PCa) and to guide the delivery of salvage treatments. We aim to evaluate the oncologic outcomes of patients with recurrent PCa who received PSMA-PET. Methods: 324 hormone-sensitive PCa with PSA relapse after radical prostatectomy who underwent PSMA-PET in three high-volume European Centres. Patients have been stratified as pre-salvage who never received salvage treatments (n = 134), and post-salvage, including patients who received previous salvage therapies (n = 190). Patients with oligorecurrent (≤3 lesions), PSMA-positive disease underwent PSMA-directed treatments: salvage radiotherapy (sRT) or Metastases-directed therapy (MDT). Patients with polirecurrent (>3 lesions) PSMA-positive disease were treated with systemic therapy. Patients with negative PSMA-PET were treated with sRT or systemic therapies or observation. The primary outcome of the study was Progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary outcomes were: Metastases-free survival (MFS) and Castration Resistant Pca free survival (CRPC-FS). Results: median follow up was 23 months. In the pre-salvage setting, the PFS, MFS and CRPC-FS estimates at 3 years were 66.2% vs. 38.9%, 95.2% vs. 73.7% and 94.9% vs. 93.1% in patients with negative vs. positive PSMA-PET, respectively (all p ≥ 0.2). In the post-salvage setting, the PFS, MFS and CRPC-FS estimates at 3 years were 59.5% vs. 29.1%, 92.7% vs. 65.1% and 98.8% vs. 88.8% in patients with negative vs. positive PSMA-PET, respectively (all p ≤ 0.01). At multivariable analyses, a positive PSMA-PET was an independent predictor of progression (HR = 2.15) and metastatic disease (HR 2.37; all p ≤ 0.03). Conclusion: PSMA-PET in recurrent PCa detects the site of recurrence guiding salvage treatments and has a prognostic role in patients who received previous salvage treatments.