Dr. Siddiqui on the Potential for Novel Imaging Techniques in Nonmetastatic CRPC

Bilal A. Siddiqui, MD, assistant professor, Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the potential for novel imaging in patients with nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

A recent study enrolled 200 patients with nonmetastatic CRPC who had a prostate-specific antigen level that was greater than 2, a doubling time of about 10 months, and no evidence of distant metastatic disease based on conventional imaging, according to Siddiqui. When investigators applied prostate-specific membrane antigen imaging, as well as positron emission tomography and computed tomography scans, however, lesions were detected in 98% of patients. Approximately half of the patients had distant metastatic disease, Siddiqui adds.

The additional imaging altered the way these patients would be treated, based on their updated disease state, Siddiqui says. As more is learned about how best to leverage imaging technologies, a big shift will be seen in the treatment of patients with nonmetastatic CRPC, Siddiqui concludes.