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Scanning for prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)

Early diagnosis of prostate cancer is strongly linked to survival. Therefore, identifying reliable disease-specific biomarkers is crucial to help improve patient survival.1,2

  • Understanding PSMA
  • What makes PSMA a good target?
  • PSMA scanning

    What is PSMA?

     

    PSMA is a biomarker used in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. It is naturally found in the prostate gland and other healthy tissues. However, its expression is increased in prostate cancer lesions, making it a valuable imaging marker.2

    High levels of PSMA have been directly linked to more aggressive prostate cancer:2

     

    5-year recurrence-free survival rates based on PSMA levels for patients on pre-operative biopsy*2

    Pie chart with the figure 88.2%.

    in patients exhibiting no PSMA presence

    Pie chart with the figure 74.2%.

    in patients exhibiting low PSMA presence

    Pie chart with the figure 67.7%.

    in patients exhibiting medium PSMA presence

    Pie chart with the figure 26.8%.

    in patients exhibiting high PSMA presence

    PSMA is highly expressed in ~80% of men with prostate cancer3

     

    Prostate cancer marker

    PSMA is highly expressed on prostate epithelial cells4

    Upregulated in prostate cancer

    PSMA is strongly upregulated in prostate cancer and with androgen deprivation4–6

    Correlation with disease severity

    The degree of PSMA expression positively correlates with tumour stage and early recurrence5,7

    Relationship to advanced disease

    The expression of PSMA is further increased in metastatic and castration-resistant carcinomas8

    Indicator of poor prognosis

    There is a strong positive correlation between PSMA expression and Gleason score, and PSMA can be an independent predictor of poor prognosis2,5,9

    Graphic illustrating that PSMA is highly expressed in ~80% of men with prostate cancer.

    PSMA is used as a diagnostic biomarker as it is highly expressed in a large percentage of prostate cancer patients5,9

    How PSMA scanning works

     

    PSMA can be detected using non-invasive and accurate diagnostic tests such as PSMA positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PSMA PET/CT) imaging.5,10,11

     

    How does PET/CT imaging work to detect PSMA?

    Icon of a patient.

    Patient preparation
    For this method, a small radioactive molecule (‘tracer’) is injected into a vein. The tracer targets and binds to the PSMA receptor on prostate cancer cells. The area from the pelvis to the head is then imaged in a PET/CT scanner that detects the areas in which the radioactive tracer has attached to the PSMA protein11

     

     

     

    Icon of a an arrow in the centre of a target.

    How may PET/CT imaging support HCPs?
    Through this imaging technique, it is possible to pinpoint tumour cells not only in the prostate but also throughout the pelvis and the body. It may enable HCPs to visualise the distribution of the disease spread11,12

     

     

     

    Magnifying glass icon.

    What are the results used for?
    PSMA PET/CT diagnosis is used to test if the prostate cancer has metastasised, and importantly, where it has spread, by identifying bone, nodal, and distant metastases11,12
    This information may allow HCPs to tailor the clinical management to needs of the individual8
     

     

     

     

     

Learn more about prostate cancer

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Learn more about neuroendocrine tumours

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*PSMA expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry and categorised according to its intensity as score 0 (no expression), 1 (low expression), 2 (medium expression), and 3 (high expression) by two independent pathologists.2

CT, computed tomography; DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid; HCP, healthcare professional; PET, positron emission tomography; PSMA, prostate-specific membrane antigen.

References

  1. James ND, et al. Lancet 2024;403:1683–1722.

  2. Hupe MC, et al. Front Oncol 2018;8:623.

  3. Pomykala KL, et al. J Nucl Med 2020;61(3):405–411.

  4. Rahbar K, et al. Mol Imag 2018;17:1536012118776068.

  5. Cimadamore A, et al. Front Oncol 2018;8:653.

  6. Chang SS. Rev Urol 2004;6(suppl 10):S13–8.   

  7. Fendler WP, et al. J Nucl Med 2017; 58:1196–200.

  8. Hofman MS, et al. Lancet Oncol 2018;19:825–33.

  9. Sartor O, et al. N Eng J Med 2021;385(12):1091–1103.

  10. Calais J, et al. Lancet Oncol 2019;20(9):1286–1294.

  11. Hofman MS, et al. Lancet 2020;395(10231):1208–1216 and supplementary appendix.

  12. Schwarzenboeck S, et al. J Nucl Med 2017;58(10):1545–1552.

UK | October 2025 | FA-11482995

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