Pathak, Ram

369 Background: MRI-guided transurethral ultrasound ablation (TULSA) uses MRI to target, monitor, and control thermal ablation of prostate tissue with high intensity directional ultrasound, demonstrating favorable histologic control and preservation of genitourinary function in single-arm studies [1,2]. CAPTAIN (NCT05027477) is a post-market, multi-center randomized controlled trial (RCT) of TULSA vs RARP for intermediate-risk prostate cancer, and is the first such study to meet its enrolment target. Here we compare baseline patient characteristics, treatment parameters, and periprocedural outcomes. Methods: CAPTAIN enrolled men with treatment-naïve, organ-confined, Grade Group 2 or 3 prostate cancer at 23 centers including academic and private clinics in the USA (20), Canada (2), and Finland (1). Patients were randomized 2:1 to TULSA or RARP, without crossover. Endpoints include pad-free urinary continence (EPIC) and erections sufficient for penetration (IIEF Q2) at 1 year, salvage treatment at 3 years, and survival to 10 years. Periprocedural metrics include length of stay, blood loss, catheter time, and 30-day patient diary (EQ-5D-5L, NRS pain score). Results: 211 patients were treated from Jan 2022 to Aug 2025 (70% TULSA, 30% RARP), surpassing the enrolment target of 201. Arms had similar baseline characteristics: median (IQR) age for TULSA vs. RARP was 63 (58–68) vs 65 (60–69) years (p=0.12), PSA was 6.5 (4.9–9.6) vs 7.2 (5.6–9.7) ng/mL (p=0.63), Grade Group 2/3 proportions were 76%/24% vs 77%/23% (p=0.88). RARP involved bilateral, unilateral, or no nerve sparing in 89%, 5.7%, and 5.7% of cases. TULSA ablation plans included whole-gland (68%) and ≥hemi-ablation (32%). Median (IQR) blood loss was lower during TULSA vs RARP: 0 (0–0) vs 100 (100–200) mL (p<0.001). Hospital stay was shorter for TULSA: 0.29 (0.27–0.32) vs 1.24 (1.12–1.36) days (p<0.001). Catheter duration was longer post-TULSA: 13 (11–15) vs 8 (8–10) days (p<0.001). Patients reported lower NRS pain scores after TULSA to post-operative day 6, and less decline in overall health on the EQ-5D-5L 0-100 visual analog scale over 30 days (p<0.05). Fewer patients reported extreme inability on EQ-5D-5L after TULSA vs RARP over the first month for mobility (0% vs 15%), self-care (1% vs 18%), and usual activities (18% vs 38%) (all p<0.05). Conclusions: CAPTAIN is the first multicenter RCT comparing ablation to radical prostate cancer treatment to meet its enrollment target. Early perioperative results from CAPTAIN demonstrate that TULSA had no blood loss or overnight hospitalization, reduced post-procedural pain, and faster return to baseline activities and overall health. Data collection to 1 and 3 years post-treatment continues to readout of the primary safety and oncological outcomes. [1] Klotz et al 2021, JUrol 205(3):769-779. [2] Eggener et al 2024, UrolOnc 42:S83. Clinical trial information: NCT05027477 .

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.

Introduction: Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) with extended pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) represents the gold standard surgical treatment for high-risk localized prostate cancer. PLND carries the risk of lymphocele formation, which can lead to complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), infection, and voiding dysfunction. Many techniques have been described to minimize lymphocele formation, yet no method has seen widespread use or been described as sutureless. The objective of this study is to describe the novel, sutureless peritoneal window (PWIN) technique and assess its efficacy in lymphocele prophylaxis for extended PLND. Methods: This was a retrospective review of patients with high-risk prostate cancer undergoing RARP with extended PLND by a single surgeon from 2018 to 2024. PLND was carried out in the usual manner with bipolar cautery. PWIN technique is performed by excising a 3 × 5 cm PWIN over the lymphadenectomy bed to maintain lymphatic communication with the abdominal cavity. The primary outcome was a comparison between the incidence of symptomatic lymphoceles (SLs) with PWIN vs standard technique. SLs were defined as lymphoceles presenting with pain, DVT, voiding dysfunction, or infectious symptoms. Patients with asymptomatic lymphoceles were excluded. Results: Our study included 199 patients who underwent RARP with extended PLND. There were 46 patients (23.1%) in the standard approach group and 153 patients (76.9%) in the PWIN group. We identified 5/46 (10.9%) SLs in the standard technique, which were significantly higher than the 3/153 (2.0%) observed in the PWIN group (p = 0.017). There was no difference between the standard and PWIN cohorts regarding symptomology or treatment of their lymphocele. Conclusion: This study describes a novel, sutureless PWIN technique that significantly decreases SL after extended PLND. This technique offers a practical, time-efficient, and cost-effective alternative for lymphocele prevention. Future prospective studies are warranted to validate these findings.