The use of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) radiotracer in positron emission tomography (PET) has been successfully incorporated into the clinical management of prostate cancer. However, PSMA tracer uptake is not limited to prostate cancer tissue. We reviewed studies exploring PSMA expression beyond the prostate gland using techniques of 68 Ga-PSMA PET imaging and immunohistochemistry. PSMA expression has been associated with a variety of solid tumours, and the vasculature associated with neoplastic disease, suggesting that this trans-membrane glycoprotein may be involved in the neovascularisation process in malignancy. These studies demonstrate the need for more research into the potential utility for 68 Ga-PSMA PET imaging in patients with non-prostatic cancers.
ANZ journal of surgery. 2019 Oct 16 [Epub]
Matthew Farag, Damien Bolton, Nathan Lawrentschuk
Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.