PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA — A study published in the February 2026 issue of JNCCN—Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network found that incorporating prostate-specific membrane antigen PET/CT scans into evaluation of recurrent prostate cancer may help predict progression-free survival and guide treatment decisions after prostate removal surgery.
Researchers analyzed retrospective data from 113 patients treated at the University of California Los Angeles Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center who experienced rising prostate-specific antigen levels following radical prostatectomy and underwent PSMA PET/CT imaging.
According to the study, patients with no visible disease on imaging had the most favorable progression-free survival, and whole-pelvis radiotherapy did not show a significant benefit over prostate bed radiotherapy alone in that group.
However, for patients with locally visible disease, whole-pelvis radiotherapy was associated with significantly improved progression-free survival. In patients with nodal or distant metastatic disease identified on imaging, androgen deprivation therapy was significantly linked to improved outcomes.
Lead researcher Dr. John Nikitas of UCLA said the imaging results were strongly associated with long-term outcomes and often influenced treatment recommendations. He noted that PSA levels alone were not strongly associated with long-term response to salvage therapy.
The researchers said the findings suggest PSMA PET/CT imaging could help tailor therapy in patients with biochemical recurrence, potentially improving outcomes while reducing unnecessary treatment.
Dr. E. Christopher Dee of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, who was not involved in the study, said PSMA PET imaging may allow clinicians to move toward more anatomically guided treatment decisions in the salvage setting.
The full study, titled “Five-Year Outcomes After Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen PET/CT-Guided Salvage Radiotherapy Following Radical Prostatectomy,” and a related commentary are available at JNCCN.org.
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