Current Status and Future Perspectives of Nuclear Medicine in Prostate Cancer from Imaging to Therapy: A Comprehensive Review
Nuclear medicine has emerged as a critical modality in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of urological malignancies, particularly prostate cancer. Advances in single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography/CT (PET/CT) have enhanced tumor...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| author | Joohee Lee Taejin Kim |
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| description | Nuclear medicine has emerged as a critical modality in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of urological malignancies, particularly prostate cancer. Advances in single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography/CT (PET/CT) have enhanced tumor assessment across staging, treatment response, and recurrence settings. Molecular imaging, which offers insights beyond traditional anatomical imaging, is increasingly integral in specific clinical scenarios. Theranostic nuclear medicine, which combines diagnostic imaging with targeted therapy, has become a well-established treatment option, particularly for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The development of the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) radioligands has revolutionized clinical management by enabling precise disease staging and delivering effective radioligand therapy (RLT). Ongoing research aims to refine the role of PSMA PET imaging in staging and treatment monitoring, while optimizing PSMA-targeted RLT for broader clinical use. Given that prostate cancer remains highly prevalent, the anticipated increase in the demand for RLT presents both challenges and opportunities for nuclear medicine services globally. Theranostic approaches exemplify personalized medicine by enabling the tailoring of treatments to individual tumor biology, thereby improving survival outcomes and maintaining patients’ quality of life with minimal toxicity. Although the current focus is on advanced disease, future research holds promise for expanding these strategies to earlier stages, potentially enhancing curative prospects. This evolving field not only signifies a paradigm shift in the care of prostate cancer patients but also underscores the growing importance of nuclear medicine in delivering precision oncology. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-76f9ad8f0dcf4ee0ae1a94595daaec49 |
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| language | English |
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| series | Biomedicines |
| spelling | doaj-art-76f9ad8f0dcf4ee0ae1a94595daaec492025-08-20T01:56:14ZengMDPI AGBiomedicines2227-90592025-05-01135113210.3390/biomedicines13051132Current Status and Future Perspectives of Nuclear Medicine in Prostate Cancer from Imaging to Therapy: A Comprehensive ReviewJoohee Lee0Taejin Kim1CHA Ilsan Medical Center, Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHA University College of Medicine, Ilsan 10414, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of KoreaCHA Ilsan Medical Center, Department of Urology, CHA University College of Medicine, Ilsan 10414, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of KoreaNuclear medicine has emerged as a critical modality in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of urological malignancies, particularly prostate cancer. Advances in single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography/CT (PET/CT) have enhanced tumor assessment across staging, treatment response, and recurrence settings. Molecular imaging, which offers insights beyond traditional anatomical imaging, is increasingly integral in specific clinical scenarios. Theranostic nuclear medicine, which combines diagnostic imaging with targeted therapy, has become a well-established treatment option, particularly for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The development of the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) radioligands has revolutionized clinical management by enabling precise disease staging and delivering effective radioligand therapy (RLT). Ongoing research aims to refine the role of PSMA PET imaging in staging and treatment monitoring, while optimizing PSMA-targeted RLT for broader clinical use. Given that prostate cancer remains highly prevalent, the anticipated increase in the demand for RLT presents both challenges and opportunities for nuclear medicine services globally. Theranostic approaches exemplify personalized medicine by enabling the tailoring of treatments to individual tumor biology, thereby improving survival outcomes and maintaining patients’ quality of life with minimal toxicity. Although the current focus is on advanced disease, future research holds promise for expanding these strategies to earlier stages, potentially enhancing curative prospects. This evolving field not only signifies a paradigm shift in the care of prostate cancer patients but also underscores the growing importance of nuclear medicine in delivering precision oncology.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/5/1132nuclear medicineprostate cancerSPECTPET/CTtheranostics |
| spellingShingle | Joohee Lee Taejin Kim Current Status and Future Perspectives of Nuclear Medicine in Prostate Cancer from Imaging to Therapy: A Comprehensive Review Biomedicines nuclear medicine prostate cancer SPECT PET/CT theranostics |
| title | Current Status and Future Perspectives of Nuclear Medicine in Prostate Cancer from Imaging to Therapy: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_full | Current Status and Future Perspectives of Nuclear Medicine in Prostate Cancer from Imaging to Therapy: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_fullStr | Current Status and Future Perspectives of Nuclear Medicine in Prostate Cancer from Imaging to Therapy: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Current Status and Future Perspectives of Nuclear Medicine in Prostate Cancer from Imaging to Therapy: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_short | Current Status and Future Perspectives of Nuclear Medicine in Prostate Cancer from Imaging to Therapy: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_sort | current status and future perspectives of nuclear medicine in prostate cancer from imaging to therapy a comprehensive review |
| topic | nuclear medicine prostate cancer SPECT PET/CT theranostics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/5/1132 |
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