PSMA-based 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT and PET/MRI Pilot Studies in Prostate Cancer

The investigators propose to evaluate a novel second-generation low-molecular-weight prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-based positron emission tomography (PET) agent, 18F-DCFPyL, for detection of primary and metastatic prostate cancer. 18F-DCFPyL PET demonstrates very high tumor-to-background and tumor specific uptake which may allow for a more sensitive and accurate method for detection of early tumor recurrence and metastatic disease as compared to current PET radiotracers and current standard-of-care imaging including 99mTc-methylene diphosphonate bone scintigraphy (bone scan), contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Primary Objectives: The investigators propose to evaluate this PET agent for four different prostate cancer clinical scenarios.

• detection of clinically significant high-grade prostate cancer and initial staging
• detection of sites of recurrence in the setting of biochemical recurrence after definitive prostatectomy
• detection of advanced androgen-resistant metastatic prostate cancer, and
• detection of clinically significant prostate cancer in very low to intermediate risk primary prostate cancer

Secondary Objectives:

• Evaluate the performance of 18F-DCFPyL PET and MRI whole body DWI for detection of local-nodal and distant metastatic disease on initial staging compared to conventional imaging modalities (CT and bone scintigraphy).
• Correlate 18F-DCFPyL PET standardized-uptake values (SUV) and MRI parameters with PSMA expression by prostatectomy pathology IHC.
• Evaluate the specificity of 18F-DCFPyL PET for differentiating primary prostate cancer versus non-malignant prostate lesions (BPH, prostatitis).
• Comparison of whole body low-dose CT and whole body MRI derived PET SUV-quantitation.
• Evaluate the performance of dedicated pelvic 18F-DCFPyL PET/MRI with dynamic PET acquisition and multi-parametric MRI for differentiation of urine versus recurrent malignancy in the prostatectomy bed.
• Evaluate the contribution of whole body MRI DWI obtained from PET/MRI to improve the diagnostic performance of 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT and PET/MRI for metastatic prostate cancer lesion detection.
• Assess the quantitative accuracy of PET-derived standardized uptake value (SUV)-based parameters in 18F-DCFPyL PET obtained from PET/MRI versus PET/CT.
• Assess the quantitative reproducibility of 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT derived-SUV values in normal organ and metastatic tumor lesions.
• Evaluate the ability of 18F-DCFPyL PET to improve detection of clinically significant primary prostate cancer in men with very low to intermediate risk prostate cancer under active surveillance or watchful waiting.

Update: As of July 2022 verification, the investigators are no longer enrolling into sub-studies 1 and 2.

Inclusion criteria

• Prostate cancer pathologically proven by prostate biopsy (newly diagnosed for Sub-Study 1 and 4)
• Prostate biopsy histology grade ≥ Gleason 1, 6, 3+4, or 4+3; positive biopsy >2 cores
• Any PSA permitted
• Two consecutive rising PSA values (Sub-Study 3 only)
• Castrate-levels of testosterone - total testosterone < 50 ng/dL (Sub-Study 3 only)
• Patients considered as candidates for and medically fit to undergo prostatectomy
• At least 7 days after most recent prostate biopsy
• Imaging evidence of suspected metastatic disease, including CT, bone scan, MRI, ultrasound or other PET modalities (Sub-Study 3 only)
• New diagnosis of prostate cancer undergoing additional biopsy evaluation (Sub--Study 4 only)
• Karnofsky performance status of at least 70 (Sub-Study 4 only)
• General health and anatomy suitable to undergo transrectal ultrasound-MRI fusion biopsy of the identified lesions and standard 12 core sextent biopsy (Sub-Study 4 only)

Exclusion criteria

• Prior pelvic external beam radiation therapy or brachytherapy
• Chemotherapy for prostate cancer
• Androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer
• Investigational therapy for prostate cancer (Sub-Study 3 Only)
• Unable to lie flat during or tolerate PET/CT
• Prior history of any other malignancy within the last 2 years, other than skin basal cell or cutaneous superficial squamous cell carcinoma that has not metastasized and superficial bladder cancer.
• No prostatectomy scheduled more than 12 hours post imaging (Sub-Study 1 only)
• Serum creatinine > 2 time the upper limit of normal
• Total bilirubin > 3 times the upper limit of normal
• Liver Transaminases > 5 times the upper limit of normal