Imaging is integral to detection and characterization of complications after prostate interventions, including vascular, infectious, urinary, and radiation-related complications, and facilitates timely diagnosis and management.
Biochemical Recurrence Irradiation or Observation (
BRIO
) in patients with prostate cancer: protocol for a randomised control trial
Background The optimal management of biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP) remains controversial, particularly in the absence of clinical or radiographic evidence of disease. Salvage radiotherapy (SRT) remains standard of care, but it is unclear whether SRT benefits patients when modern imaging with a multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and prostate‐specific membrane antigen‐positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PSMA‐PET/CT) are negative for local recurrence. Retrospective data comparing SRT to observation for such patients is fraught with selection bias, underscoring the need for a prospective randomised controlled trial. Study Design and Methods The Biochemical Recurrence Irradiation or Observation (BRIO) is a randomised study under the DIVINE trial framework (NCT06378866) enrolling men with BCR (prostate‐specific antigen [PSA] level ≥0.2, up to 1.5 ng/mL) after RP with no radiographic evidence of recurrence on mpMRI and PSMA‐PET/CT. Major inclusion criteria include age ≥18 years, biochemically recurrent prostate cancer after RP with a PSA level between 0.2 and 1.5 ng/mL, and no local or metastatic recurrence on imaging. A total of 312 patients will be enrolled. Participants are randomised 1:1 to standard‐of‐care SRT followed by surveillance (Group A), or initial observation with subsequent image‐guided therapy at radiographic progression (Group B). Based on historical analysis, a total of 30 metastasis events provides 80% power to detect a significant improvement (hazard ratio 0.5 corresponding to a 5‐year metastasis‐free proportion of 80.7% in the control group and 89.8% in the experimental group with one‐sided type I error rate of 0.15). All participants undergo baseline blood collection to measure prostate cancer‐extracellular vesicles and cell‐free DNA for biomarker development. Participants are followed in a 16‐week cycle with serial PSA measurements, repeat imaging if PSA doubles, safety assessment, and patient‐reported outcomes. Endpoints The primary endpoint is distant recurrence‐free survival at 5‐years using a 12‐month landmark to mitigate bias arising from differing assessment schedules for patients receiving optional 6 months of androgen deprivation therapy. Key secondary outcomes include time to hormone therapy, quality of life measures, adverse effects, and novel blood and urine biomarkers. Conclusion The BRIO study will clarify the clinical benefit of immediate SRT vs observation with image‐guided intervention in mpMRI and PET‐negative BCR after RP.
Background and Objective: Radiographic progression in prostate cancer (PCa) can occur even when prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels are undetectable. We aimed to determine the frequency and characteristics of radiographic disease progression (rDP) on PSMA PET/CT in patients with undetectable PSA, referred to as PSA zero rDP. Methods: We analyzed the Mayo Clinic PSMA PET Prostate Cancer Registry to identify patients with rDP on PSMA PET/CT despite undetectable PSA levels. Disease progression was confirmed via biopsy or treatment response. The cohort included patients with non-metastatic and metastatic hormone-sensitive disease, as well as those with castration-resistant prostate cancer at the time of imaging. Overall survival (OS) was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Group comparisons were performed with the log-rank test. Univariate Cox regression was used to identify factors associated with poor OS. Key findings and Limitations: Among 2141 patients imaged between 2021 and 2023, 257 (12%) had PSA zero rDP. Sixty-one percent had initially localized disease; 39% had de novo metastatic disease. Median (IQR) time from diagnosis to PSA zero rDP was 51.9 (18.4–115.5) months. A total of 184 patients (72%) progressed to castration-resistant PCa. Sites of rDP included bone (57%), visceral (15%), lymph node (18%), and local recurrence (10%). During median follow-up of 8.1 (3.5–11.9) months, 5% of patients died. Only visceral metastases were significantly associated with poorer OS (p < 0.0001). Conclusions and Clinical Implications: Prostate cancer patients frequently develop metastatic disease with undetectable PSA values. Our findings suggest the use of periodic advanced imaging techniques, irrespective of PSA value, for more prompt detection and early management of disease progress.
An intra-patient contemporaneous comparison of
18
F-piflufolastat and
18
F-flotufolastat urinary radioactivity and local and pelvic region detection rates
32 Background: PET-based radiopharmaceuticals targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) have become the mainstay of prostate cancer imaging; however, high urinary radioactivity from these primarily renally cleared compounds may obscure tumors in the prostate and peri-ureteric regions. We conducted the first intra-patient comparator study to assess the urinary radioactivity of two 18 F-labelled PSMA-PET radiopharmaceuticals, 18 F-piflufolastat and 18 F-flotufolastat. Methods: This multicenter, prospective, intra-patient comparator study (NCT06604442) enrolled men ≥ 18 years with low PSA (≤ 0.5 ng/mL) biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer ≥ 6 months after radical prostatectomy with undetectable PSA post-surgery, scheduled for a standard-of-care (SoC) 18 F-piflufolastat PET. Patients had a SoC PET/CT after IV 18 F-piflufolastat (target dose 333 MBq), and a second PET/CT 1–10 days later after IV 18 F-flotufolastat (target dose 296 MBq), both scans started approximately 60 min after administration and used the same scanner. The primary endpoint was the difference in urinary bladder radioactivity (mean standardized uptake value [SUV mean ]) between 18 F-piflufolastat PET and 18 F-flotufolastat PET. Secondary endpoints included patient and region-level detection rates (DR) for each radiopharmaceutical. Images were interpreted by two blinded central readers, with a third to resolve disagreements, allowing majority read results. Results: Between Oct 2024 and Jun 2025, 55 patients (mean PSA, 0.28 [range 0.09–0.50] ng/mL) were included in the primary efficacy analysis. Median bladder SUV mean was significantly higher with 18 F-piflufolastat (29.0; interquartile range [IQR], 18.9–40.8) than 18 F-flotufolastat (10.9; IQR, 6.0–18.5) with a median difference of 15.1 (IQR, 8.5–27.0; p<0.001 [Wilcoxon signed-rank test]). The patient-level DR was 27.3% (15/55) for 18 F-piflufolastat and 45.5% (25/55) for 18 F-flotufolastat (majority read). Among the 21 patients with very low PSA levels (≤ 0.2 ng/mL), 38.1% had a positive 18 F-piflufolastat scan compared with 52.4% for 18 F-flotufolastat scans (majority read). Regional and sub-regional DRs are shown in the table. Conclusions: In this intra-patient study, 18 F-flotufolastat showed significantly lower urinary radioactivity, and a higher overall DR than 18 F-piflufolastat indicating it may offer improved image assessment in regions close to the bladder. Clinical trial information: NCT06604442 . Region 18 F-Piflufolastat DR* n (%)N=55 18 F-Flotufolastat DR*n (%)N=55 Prostate bed 6 (10.9) 10 (18.2) Vesicourethral anastomosis 1 (1.8) 4 (7.3) Retrovesical 2 (3.6) 2 (3.6) Remnant seminal vesicles/ lateral surgical margin 2 (3.6) 4 (7.3) Pelvic lymph nodes 8 (14.5) 9 (16.4) Majority read. *≥ 1 PET positive lesion.
Dynamic investigator initiated enterprise (DIVINE) in prostate cancer: Randomized phase II trial of stereotactic body radiotherapy with or without short-course androgen deprivation and AR pathway inhibition in oligometastatic castration-sensitive prostate
TPS283 Background: Emerging evidence suggests that metastasis-directed therapy (MDT) with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) can delay systemic therapy in oligometastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (omCSPC). However, the optimal timing of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI) initiation in this setting remains undefined. While deferred ADT following MDT may preserve quality of life, early short-course ADT/ARPI may eradicate micrometastatic disease and extend progression-free survival. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) carrying PSMA-positive prostate cancer (PC) signals and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) may serve as real-time biomarkers of MRD and treatment response. Methods: DIVINE [NCT06378866] is an open-label, phase II, randomized trial enrolling men with omCSPC defined by 1–5 metastases (≥1 extrapelvic) on conventional imaging (CT/MRI and bone scan) and testosterone >100 ng/dL. PSMA PET may be obtained for correlative purposes but does not determine eligibility. Participants (N = 220) are randomized 1:1 to: Arm A (Early systemic): SBRT plus 6 months of ADT + ARPI. Arm B (Deferred systemic): SBRT alone with observation, reserving systemic therapy until radiographic progression not amenable to further SBRT (mrPD). SBRT is delivered per institutional standard; repeat SBRT is allowed until lesions become non-addressable. The primary endpoint, modified radiographic progression-free survival (mrPFS), is the time from randomization to death or radiographic progression not amenable to further MDT, defined by PCWG3 (bone) and modified RECIST 1.1 (soft tissue) criteria on conventional imaging. Soft-tissue progression requires ≥ 20% increase in measurable disease or a new lesion; bone progression requires ≥ 2 new confirmed lesions. Secondary endpoints include OS, biochemical PFS, time to local and distant progression, and grade 3–5 adverse events during systemic therapy. Exploratory endpoints evaluate EV and ctDNA kinetics as MRD markers, correlation of PSMA-positive EV burden with outcomes, and duration of response after short-course ADT/ARPI. Correlative analyses will longitudinally quantify PSMA-positive EVs and ctDNA at baseline, on treatment, and at progression to define MRD dynamics and resistance patterns. The trial uses Pocock–Simon dynamic allocation by EV strata and metastatic burden to ensure balance across arms. The trial is open and actively enrolling across all Mayo Clinic sites; as of October 2025, 35 of the planned 220 patients have been accrued. Clinical trial information: NCT06378866 .
An Evidenced Based Review and Common-Sense Approach to Prostate Cancer Screening for Primary Care Physicians, in an Era of Conflicting Guideline Recommendations and Debate
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening has played a critical role in reducing prostate cancer mortality but remains controversial due to concerns regarding overdiagnosis, overtreatment, and inconsistent screening guidelines. In 2012, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued a grade D recommendation against PSA screening, leading to a national decline in PSA testing and prostate biopsy rates. This was followed by an increase in the incidence of metastatic prostate cancer at diagnosis. The USPSTF has since revised its recommendation to grade C, emphasizing shared decision-making for men aged 55 to 69 years. However, variability in screening recommendations across professional societies has resulted in clinical uncertainty, particularly for primary care physicians (PCPs), who frequently initiate PSA testing and urology referrals. This review provides an evidence-based overview of PSA screening tailored for the PCP. We performed a comprehensive literature review using Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, including systematic reviews published between January 2020 and April 2025, and current guidelines from the American Urological Association (AUA), National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), European Association of Urology (EAU), and American Cancer Society (ACS). We summarize the evolving landscape of PSA screening and its integration with contemporary tools such as shared decision-making, multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), and transperineally targeted biopsy. We advocate for initiating PSA screening between the ages of 45 and 49 in men with average or elevated risk, based on long-term evidence demonstrating the value of an early baseline PSA level and risk-stratified follow-up. This approach, coupled with improved diagnostic tools, can help PCPs navigate guideline variability and implement a rational, common-sense strategy to maximize early detection while minimizing harm.
Evolution of Potentially Actionable Genomic Alterations in Advanced Prostate Cancer: A Real-World Analysis of Serial Circulating Tumor DNA Testing
Background: Longitudinal genomic profiling through serial circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing offers a noninvasive method to monitor clonal evolution in advanced prostate cancer. This study evaluated the frequency and nature of newly emergent and potentially actionable genomic alterations detected through serial testing in a real-world setting. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of advanced prostate cancer patients who underwent multiple Guardant360 ctDNA tests between October 2020 and March 2023. The study focused on identifying new genomic alterations absent in the initial test, with particular attention to alterations relevant for on-label therapies, therapies approved in other oncologic indications (i.e., off-label), or a clinical trial. Results: Among 479 patients with at least two ctDNA tests, the median interval between the first and second evaluable tests was 207 days. New and potentially actionable alterations emerged in 57.8% of patients, including potential targets for on-label therapies (16.7%), off-label therapies (16.5%), and clinical trials (55.7%). Tumor mutational burden (TMB) increased from “low” to “high” in 11% of patients, although none had microsatellite instability or mismatch repair deficiency. In a Mayo Clinic subset, ten patients received olaparib based on treatment-emergent alterations, but none achieved a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response. Two patients who transitioned from low to high TMB received pembrolizumab, both with progressive disease as best response. Conclusions: In a large real-world cohort, serial ctDNA testing frequently identified new alterations that were not detected at baseline and are potentially actionable therapeutic targets, highlighting the value of serial genomic profiling for capturing clonal dynamics. Additional research is needed to better establish a framework for retesting and to clarify how these results should influence subsequent treatment decisions.
Concomitant treatment with 2nd generation hormone therapy and 177Lut PSMA versus 177Lut PSMA alone: Does it improve PSA response rates?
e17081 Background: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. In early localized disease, surgery represents the mainstay treatment. However, management of metastatic and advanced stages requires multidisciplinary approach. The prognosis in metastatic prostate cancer has improved recently due to advanced pharmaceutical and interventional methods of treatment with modern diagnostic methods. In our study, we aim to investigate the impact of concomitant treatment with 2nd generation hormonal therapy and 177Lut PSMA on PSA response in patients with metastatic CRPC Methods: In a retrospective observation study including 91male patients with metastatic CRPC treated with 177Lut PSMA, we divided our cohort into 2 groups depending on whether they had 2nd generation hormonal therapy alongside their treatment with 177Lut PSMA. 43 patients received 177Lut PSMA (group A). While the other 48 patients (group B) had 2 nd generation hormone therapy with 177Lut PSMA. Primary endpoint was PSA response after they complete their therapy. Favorable PSA response was defined by PSA reduction more than 50% from baseline PSA before treatment Results: Statistical analysis identified 91 male patients, median (IQR) age of 61.5 years (56,67.75). Median (IQR) Gleason score 8 (7 - 9). Pre-177Lut PSMA PSA had a median of 2 (0.255 - 99), post-177Lut PSMA had a median of 0.15 (0.1 - 2.7). Median (IQR) 177Lut PSMA 6 (5 - 6). There was no significant change in PSA response in patients who received 177Lut PSMA alone versus 177Lut PSMA with concomitant 2 nd generation hormonal therapy. Of that, 54.17% of group B had favorable PSA response compared to 48.84% of group A (P value 0.6115). In multivariable analysis, concomitant treatment with 2nd generation hormone therapy and 177Lut PSMA has no impact on PSA response rates. Conclusions: This data suggests that concomitant treatment with 2nd generation therapy and 177Lut PSMA did not demonstrate superior PSA response than treatment with 177Lut PSMA alone. This data contributes to the current literature and serve in patients counseling. Further studies are warranted.
Prostate Extracellular Vesicles and Prognostic Biomarkers of Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer: A Prospective Single‐Institution Pilot Study
ABSTRACTBackgroundCommercial biomarkers and multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) have been utilized to triage men with elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) and determine patients most likely to harbor clinically‐significant prostate cancer (csPCa). We studied combinations of mpMRI, PSA‐based and novel extracellular vesicle (EV)‐based biomarkers to determine the optimal pre‐biopsy testing to predict csPCa at biopsy.MethodsMen presenting with elevated PSA (≥ 2 ng/mL) were prospectively enrolled and all men underwent clinically indicated mpMRI and blinded study blood draws to determine PSA, prostate health index (PHI) scoring, and EV serum levels. MRI‐fusion transperineal prostate biopsy was performed in all patients. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated, and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed. Bootstrapping analysis was performed to provide more accurate assessment of predictive abilities.ResultsUltimately, 175 consecutive men were prospectively enrolled. Median age in the study population was 65 years. Combinations of biomarkers and MRI demonstrated better predictive ability for csPCa on biopsy than individual modalities. Predictive ability was greatest for PHI density (PHID)‐mpMRI with an AUC of 0.86 (95% CI: 0.80–0.92) while combinations of PSA density ‐mpMRI (AUC: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.73–0.89) and STEAP1‐mpMRI (AUC: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.70–0.86) demonstrated similar ability to predict csPCa. The study is limited by small, predominantly white patient cohort and requires external validation.ConclusionsInclusion of prostate density with biomarkers increases prognostic ability for detecting csPCa. EV density can refine prediction of csPCa and in combination with PHID‐mpMRI leads to superior specificity, thereby decreasing unnecessary biopsies.