Outcome after PSMA PET/CT based salvage radiotherapy in patients with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy: a bi-institutional retrospective analysis

Prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PSMA PET/CT) detects prostate cancer recurrence at low PSA levels. Radiotherapy with dose escalation to the former prostate bed has been associated with improved biochemical recurrence-free survival (BRFS). Thus, we hypothesized that PSMA PET/CT-guided salvage radiotherapy leads to improved BRFS. Methods: A total of 204 consecutive patients were referred for salvage radiotherapy following radical prostatectomy. PSMA PET/CT scans were performed and patients with PSA persistence (109 patients) or evidence of distant metastases (5 patients) were excluded from this analysis. Thus, the following analysis is based on a total of 90 patients who underwent PSMA PET/CT prior to radiotherapy due to biochemical recurrence and received salvage radiotherapy. In case of PET-positive findings, antiandrogen therapy was commenced before initiation of radiotherapy. BRFS (PSA ≤ 0.2 ng/ml) was defined as the study endpoint. Results: PET-positive lesions were detected in 42/90 (47%) patients: 24/42 (27%) fossa recurrence only, 12/42 (13%) pelvic lymph nodes only and 6/42 (7%) fossa and pelvic lymph node recurrence. Median PSA before radiotherapy was 0.44 (0.11 - 6.24). Cumulatively, a total dose of 70.0 Gy (67.2 - 72 Gy) was delivered to local macroscopic tumor, 66 Gy (59.4 - 70.2 Gy) to the prostatic fossa, 60.8 Gy (54 - 66 Gy) to PET-positive lymph nodes and 50.4 Gy (45 - 50.4 Gy) to the lymphatic pathways. After a median follow-up of 23 months, BRFS was 78%. Antiandrogen therapy was ongoing in 4 patients at last follow-up. No significant difference in BRFS between PET-positive (74%) vs. PET-negative patients (82%; p>0.05) was observed at last follow-up. Two patients had late genitourinary toxicity grade 3 and no patient had gastrointestinal toxicity ≥ 3 (NCI-CTCAE v4.03). Conclusion: PSMA PET/CT-guided salvage radiotherapy is an effective and safe local treatment option. No difference in BRFS between PET-positive and PET-negative patients was observed, indicating effective targeting of PET-positive lesions. PSMA PET/CT when readily available should be offered to patients with PSA recurrence for treatment individualization.