The Application of Radiolabeled Targeted Molecular Probes for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Prostate Cancer

Abstract

Radiopharmaceuticals targeting prostate-specific membrane antigens (PSMA) are essential for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of prostate cancer (PCa), particularly metastatic castration-resistant PCa, for which conventional treatment is ineffective. These molecular probes include [ 68 Ga]PSMA, [ 18 F]PSMA, [Al 18 F]PSMA, [ 99m Tc]PSMA, and [ 89 Zr]PSMA, which are widely used for diagnosis, and [ 177 Lu]PSMA and [ 225 Ac]PSMA, which are used for treatment. There are also new types of radiopharmaceuticals. Due to the differentiation and heterogeneity of tumor cells, a subtype of PCa with an extremely poor prognosis, referred to as neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC), has emerged, and its diagnosis and treatment present great challenges. To improve the detection rate of NEPC and prolong patient survival, many researchers have investigated the use of relevant radiopharmaceuticals as targeted molecular probes for the detection and treatment of NEPC lesions, including DOTA-TOC and DOTA-TATE for somatostatin receptors, 4A06 for CUB domain-containing protein 1, and FDG. This review focused on the specific molecular targets and various radionuclides that have been developed for PCa in recent years, including those mentioned above and several others, and aimed to provide valuable up-to-date information and research ideas for future studies.

Carrier systems of radiopharmaceuticals and the application in cancer therapy

“…Radiolabeled small molecules for cancer therapy are rapidly evolving, particularly targeting PSMA for prostate cancer therapy [ 99 ]. In 2022, radiolabeled small molecule 177 Lu-PSMA-617 was approved by the FDA for the treatment of PSMA-positive mCRPC after androgen receptor pathway inhibition and taxane-based chemotherapy (Fig.…”

New Oncologic Imaging Section in the Korean Journal of Radiology

“…Oncologic nuclear medicine studies with strong clinical relevance will be featured in the Oncologic Imaging or relevant anatomical sections of the journal. This journal recommends prospective authors to review recently published articles in KJR as examples to gain a clearer understanding of the new selection criteria [ 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ].…”