PSMA PET/CT Guided Intensification of Therapy in Patients at Risk of Advanced Prostate Cancer

PSMA PET/CT, particularly with the new generation \[18F\]DCFPyL radiotracer, has substantially improved our ability to detect sites of prostate cancer compared with conventional imaging alone. When combined with innovative radiotherapeutic and surgical techniques that can now safely target and ablate such disease sites, next generation imaging is now poised to transform the therapeutic paradigm for patients at risk of advanced cancer. Investigators postulate that intensification of radiotherapy or surgery based on the results of PSMA PET/CT will improve cancer control outcomes in a cost-effective manner, with minimal toxicity, and an overall improvement in quality of life in the longer term. Investigators expect to show that PSMA PET/CT will have a direct and profound impact on radiotherapy and surgery practice, translating to improved failure-free survival outcomes in patients at risk of advanced prostate cancer. The subset of patients potentially impacted is broad, including patients recurring after prostatectomy and newly presenting patients with high-risk features. Although PSMA PET/CT is increasingly making its way into clinical practice around the world, Canadian provinces will need to make an informed decision of whether to fund this imaging for our patients. The high-level evidence gathered in this trial is desperately needed to assess the impact on patient outcomes and, in doing so, justify broad access and reimbursement for patients with prostate cancer.