Diagnostic value of dual-tracer PET/CT with [18F]FDG and PSMA ligands in prostate cancer: an updated systematic review

Diagnostic value of dual-tracer PET/CT with [18F]FDG and PSMA ligands in prostate cancer: an updated systematic review

BackgroundProstate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) ligand PET/CT has significantly improved prostate cancer (PCa) imaging. However, in patients with poorly differentiated PCa or neuroendocrine transdifferentiation, [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) PET/CT may provide additional diagnostic informat...

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Main Authors: Cesare Michele Iacovitti, Marco Cuzzocrea, Alessio Rizzo, Matteo Bauckneht, Roberto C. Delgado Bolton, Gaetano Paone, Giorgio Treglia
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Medicine
Subjects:
prostate cancer
PSMA
[18F]FDG
PET/CT
dual-tracer
hybrid imaging
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1607227/full
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Summary:BackgroundProstate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) ligand PET/CT has significantly improved prostate cancer (PCa) imaging. However, in patients with poorly differentiated PCa or neuroendocrine transdifferentiation, [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) PET/CT may provide additional diagnostic information. This systematic review evaluates the diagnostic value of combining [18F]FDG PET/CT with PSMA ligand PET/CT in PCa patients.MethodsA systematic literature search of studies assessing the added diagnostic value of dual-tracer [18F]FDG and PSMA ligands PET/CT in PCa patients was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases and available information was summarized.ResultsFourteen studies (n = 901 patients) met the inclusion criteria. The dual-tracer approach identified [18F]FDG-positive/PSMA-negative (FDG+/PSMA−) lesions in a subset of patients, particularly those with Gleason Score (GS) ≥ 9. However, in patients with GS < 8, [18F]FDG PET/CT did not significantly improve lesion detection over PSMA ligand PET/CT alone.The presence of FDG+/PSMA− lesions correlated with aggressive tumor biology, increased risk of metastases, and worse prognosis.ConclusionLiterature data showed that [18F]FDG PET/CT may serve as a valuable complementary imaging modality for high risk PCa patients potentially influencing staging and treatment decisions. Future prospective studies are warranted to further elucidate the prognostic significance and cost-effectiveness of combining [18F]FDG PET/CT with PSMA ligand PET/CT in PCa patients.
ISSN:2296-858X

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