BrainMap: Steve Y. Cho, M.D. Current and Emerging Role of Molecular Imaging in Prostate Cancer: Focus on PSMA PET and Beyond

Steve Y. Cho, MD

Associate Professor of Radiology (CHS)

University of Wisconsin-School of Medicine and Public Health,

University of Wisconsin Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center

Talk Title:  Current and Emerging Role of Molecular Imaging in Prostate Cancer: Focus on PSMA PET and Beyond

Abstract: The prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a cell surface enzyme that is highly expressed in prostate cancer (PCa) and is being extensively explored as a promising target for molecular imaging in a variety of clinical contexts. Novel antibody and small molecule PSMA radiotracers labeled with a variety of radionuclides for positron emission tomography (PET) and single positron emission tomography (SPECT) imaging applications have been developed and validated in recent clinical trials and show great promise. Other emerging radiopharmaceuticals for imaging and therapy for prostate cancer are also emerging with encouraging results.  In addition, a great deal of progress has been made in defining the clinical utility of these class of PET agents through these initial predominantly small or retrospective clinical trials, but larger validation trials are needed and underway, which will change the way we detect and treat prostate cancer.  This lecture will: (1) review current and emerging PET and SPECT radiopharmaceuticals for Prostate Cancer Imaging and Therapy, (2) review the current state of PSMA PET Imaging for Prostate Cancer (and Solid Tumor Neovasculature) and (3) discuss the potential impact of PSMA PET/CT and PET/MRI (and other emerging agents) on prostate cancer clinical management