The performance of ^(18)F-PSMA PET/CT in the detection of prostate cancer:a systematic review and meta-analysis

This paper presents a meta-analysis regarding the detection rate(DR)of fluorine-18(^(18)F)-labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography(PSMA PET/CT)in the management of patients with prostate cancer(PCa).Relevant studies regarding ^(18)F-PSMA PET/CT in the management of PCa published until June 1,2021,were electronically searched in online databases including EMBASE,PubMed,and Web of Science.The primary outcome was the DR of ^(18)F-PSMA PET/CT in managing PCa patients,while the secondary outcome was the DR of ^(18)F-PSMA PET/CT according to Gleason scores and serum prostate-specific antigen(PSA)level.The pooled DR was calculated on a per-patient basis,with pooled odd ratios and 95%confidence intervals(CIs).In total,17 observational studies evaluating 1019 patients with PCa met the inclusion criteria.The DR of ^(18)F-PSMA PET/CT was 0.83(95%CI:0.78-0.88),in the random-effects model.Subsequently,the analysis of DR of ^(18)F-PSMA PET/CT in PCa patients using Gleason score(≤7 vs≥8),showed a significant difference in PCa patients.Based on the above results,the higher Gleason score of PCa patients,the higher DR of ^(18)F-PSMA PET/CT.The DR of ^(18)F-PSMA PET/CT in PCa was 0.57 for PSA<0.5 ng ml^(-1);0.75 for PSA≥0.5 ng ml^(-1) and<1.0 ng ml^(-1);0.93 for PSA≥1.0 ng ml^(-1) and<2.0 ng ml^(-1);and 0.95 for PSA≥2.0 ng ml^(-1).Therefore,the significant diagnostic value was found in terms of the DR of ^(18)F-PSMA PET/CT in managing PCa patients and was associated with Gleason score and serum PSA level.