Outcomes of Local Treatment for Oligometastatic Prostate Cancer Diagnosed Using PSMA PET Imaging: OLIGOMET Study

The Emerging Role of PSMA-PET in Prostate Cancer Imaging

PSMA-PET, in conjunction with CT or MRI, has significantly enhanced the precision of prostate cancer staging. Traditional imaging modalities, such as CT or BS, often fail to accurately determine the disease's extent. In contrast, PSMA-PET offers a more precise diagnostic alternative, especially in identifying oligometastatic cases among high-risk prostate cancer patients. Remarkably, 10-20% of patients with unfavorable prostate cancer initially classified as non-metastatic through conventional imaging are reclassified as oligometastatic when reassessed with PSMA-PET. This reclassification is pivotal, possibly influencing treatment decisions and prognostic outcomes.

The Need for a Focused Study

Oligometastatic prostate cancer represents an intermediate stage between localized and systemic disease, reflecting an early phase in metastatic progression. These tumors not only exhibit unique biological characteristics but also constitute a distinct clinical entity, offering possibilities for long-term control or even cure. Numerous studies demonstrated benefits from combining local and metastasis-directed therapies with systemic treatment in oligometastatic prostate cancer patients diagnosed with conventional imaging. However, despite diagnostic advancements and the evolving uptake of PSMA-PET, substantial gaps persist in the understanding of optimal management for oligometastatic prostate cancer identified with next-generation imaging.

Due to the diagnostics advancements and dynamically changing treatment landscape with various local, systemic, and metastasis-directed therapies, this topic requires a prospective multicenter registry. To address this, the investigators have initiated this prospective cohort study focusing on the efficacy and safety of local therapies in oligometastatic prostate cancer patients diagnosed with PSMA-PET, performed under the umbrella of EAU Young Academic Urologists (YAU) Prostate Cancer Working Group.

Study Design and Objectives

This multicenter, prospective observational cohort study aims primarily to evaluate time to castration-resistance, clinical and radiological progression-free survival in patients with oligometastatic prostate cancer identified using PSMA-PET. Secondary objectives include assessing complications of local therapies, pathological, functional, and oncologic outcomes among others.

Eligible patients are those diagnosed with primary oligometastatic prostate cancer with PSMA-PET and treated with local therapies such as radical prostatectomy or radiation. The oligometastatic state is defined as cM1a and/or cM1b with ≤5 bone metastases and/or M1c with ≤3 lung lesions, with or without cN positivity. Key exclusion criteria include the presence of visceral metastases (other than lungs) or neoadjuvant therapy before initial PSMA-PET assessment.

The study aims to answer pivotal questions about oncological, functional, and safety outcomes after local treatment in oligometastatic prostate cancer patients on PSMA-PET. Furthermore, the goal is to report treatment strategies for this disease state in this dynamically changing field, and to identify factors predicting improved outcomes.

Data Collection and Management

Data will be meticulously collected and managed using the Castor electronic case report form platform, provided by the European Association of Urology Foundation for Urological Research, ensuring pseudonymization and security. With the study starting in 2024, the investigators aim to collect data until end of 2030.

Estimated Impact of the Study

This study is anticipated to substantially contribute to the understanding of oligometastatic prostate cancer and the role of PSMA-PET in its diagnosis and management. In a recent multicenter EAU-YAU study closely related to OLIGOMET project, the investigators have shown that patients with oligometastatic prostate cancer diagnosed with PSMA-PET and treated with radical prostatectomy have overall favorable oncologic outcomes. Nevertheless, a portion of these patients still faced a risk of early progression, emphasizing the need for multimodal therapy. The study illustrated the lack of evidence and precise clinical guidance in this distinct disease stage; there existed significant heterogeneity in the treatment approach among participating tertiary referral centers, with the majority of patients receiving multimodal therapy.

While the combination of radiation and systemic therapy can be considered the current standard of care in oligometastatic patients on conventional imaging, the preferred management of patients with a small metastatic burden on PSMA-PET remains unknown. Therefore, the investigators believe that evaluating the effectiveness of local therapies in patients diagnosed with next-generation imaging can pave the way for personalized, and effective treatment strategies of oligometastatic disease in the future. Moreover, the use of PSMA-PET may allow for early identification and intervention, potentially altering the natural history of the disease and improving oncologic control. Finally, the investigators expect that by understanding the role of combination therapies and identifying predictive factors to guide treatment selection, could lead to extended survival and improved quality of life of patients.