A review of many studies compared different PET scans for finding prostate cancer. The scans use special tracers to light up cancer cells. The main goal was to see how well each scan found cancer in patients whose PSA levels rose after treatment.
The results showed that PSMA PET scans were better than older, non-PSMA scans. Among the PSMA scans, 64 Cu-PSMA-617 found the most cancers, followed by 18 F-DCFPyL, 18 F-PSMA-1007, and 68 Ga-PSMA-11. For patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer, 18 F-PSMA-1007 and 18 F-DCFPyL were better than 68 Ga-PSMA-11.
The review included over 1,600 patients, mostly with recurrent prostate cancer. It did not report safety data or how long patients were followed. Some uncertainty remains about the best standards for comparison.
When available, doctors should prefer 18 F-labeled PSMA tracers. These scans can help find prostate cancer more accurately, which may lead to better treatment decisions.