Gallium-68 Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen PET Imaging

PET Clin. 2017 Apr;12(2):219-234. doi: 10.1016/j.cpet.2016.12.004. Epub 2017 Feb 1.

Abstract

The role of gallium-68 (68Ga) prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET imaging is evolving and finding its place in the imaging armamentarium for prostate cancer (PCa). Despite the progress of conventional imaging strategies, significant limitations remain, including identification of small-volume disease and assessment of bone. Clinical studies have demonstrated that 68Ga-PSMA is a promising tracer for detection of PCa metastases, even in patients with low prostate-specific antigen. To provide an accurate interpretation of 68Ga-PSMA PET/computed tomography, nuclear medicine specialists and radiologists should be familiar with physiologic 68Ga-PSMA uptake, common variants, patterns of locoregional and distant spread of PCa, and inherent pitfalls.

Keywords: (68)Ga-PSMA; (68)Ga-PSMA PET; PET; Prostate cancer; Prostate-specific membrane antigen.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Surface / metabolism*
  • Bone Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary
  • Gallium Radioisotopes*
  • Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnostic imaging
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography / methods
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals*
  • Viscera / diagnostic imaging

Substances

  • Antigens, Surface
  • Gallium Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • FOLH1 protein, human
  • Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II