There is a study that is shedding new light on the productivity of imaging for prostate cancer patients. This new research suggests a new way of locating previously undetected lesions. It is altering the treatment path for many patients. The analysis was performed by Blue Earth Diagnostics, a molecular imaging diagnostics company. Their clinical trials were dubbed ‘LOCATE.’
The Research
This particular study was aimed at patients that present with biochemically recurrent prostate cancer. Results from the LOCATE trial show the addition of 18F-fluciclovine positron emission tomography/computer tomography can have a significant effect on the screening process. It has allowed for the detection of previously missed lesions. These findings have changed the treatment course for most of the patients that took part.
- “The objective (of LOCATE) was to access the impact of positron imaging for patient management,” Peter Gardiner, Blue Earth Diagnostics CMO, said, “These were men with recurrent prostate cancer.”
213 men with recurrent prostate cancer took part in the LOCATE trial. They were assessed with 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT after receiving negative or ambiguous results from imaging techniques like bone scans or a CT. The trial results showed that 59% of patient treatment plans were altered by the outcome of the 18F-fluciclovine imaging. 78% of those changes were ruled as major changes.
The Details
“Up to 30% of patients with prostate cancer will develop local or distant recurrences within 10 years of radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy,” said Lale Kostakoglu, MD, Professor of Radiology and Chief of Nuclear Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY.
The LOCATE study was conducted at 15 sites in the United States. It included both private practices and academic locations. The research was centered on the connection between scan positivity and the clinical variables of recurrence, the setting of the practice, and the Gleason score. The Gleason score is the system of grading prostate cancer.
Both positive and negative scans had an effect on the path of patient care. There was no connection found between Gleason score at diagnosis and later positive scans. Negative reactions were reported in less than 1% of the participants. The common side effects were injection site pain, injection site erythema, and dysgeusia.
The Impact
Blue Earth Diagnostic is reportedly going to push for the study results to be published. “There is a manuscript…already submitted to the urology journal and it’s undergoing review at the moment,” Gardiner said. “We’re keeping our fingers crossed that will be published.”
The impact of this study could mean changes for the international oncology community. It is not geared to the early detection of cancer, but it could become part of targeted therapy for cancer care. The treatment options for recurrent cancer cases is always a challenging area of study. Finding any way to enhance the prostate cancer screening process is a significant step forward.
So much of the treatment of cancer hinges on detection before cancer spreads further. This study could alter the way we treat prostate cancer.
For more information on LOCATE prostate imaging, visit mddionline.com.
