National cancer network adds PSMA-PET agents to new prostate imaging guidelines
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network updated its guidelines for imaging prostate cancer to include new molecular-driven strategies, the organization announced Monday.
NCCN, a not-for-profit alliance of 31 cancer centers, included prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET imaging with piflufolastat F-18 and 68Ga-PSMA-11 in its update. The latter is manufactured by Telix Pharmaceuticals while Lantheus produces the other, known as Pylarify.
“The updated guidelines will encourage clinicians to use PSMA-PET as a primary imaging modality in patients and will deliver the benefit of a more streamlined approach,” Oliver Sartor, MD, medical director at Tulane Cancer Center, said Sept. 13. “We look forward to having access to this functional form of imaging as new products come into the market.”
Additionally, the new guidelines state conventional imaging is no longer a prerequisite to PSMA-PET and that PSMA-PET/CT or PSMA-PET/MRI can stand in as an effective first line tool. Similarly, the NCCN Panel included Ga-68 PSMA-11 PET/CT as an alternative to standard bone and soft tissue imaging.
North Billerica, Massachusetts-based Lantheus’s PSMA-targeted PET imaging agent is currently the first and only commercially available contrast of its kind to receive federal approval for prostate cancer patients. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Pylarify for certain indications in May.
Telix’s investigational imaging product Illuccix, which is a kit for preparing 68Ga-PSMA-11 injections, is in the late stages of FDA review, the company noted Monday.
“We are extremely pleased that the NCCN panel of prostate cancer experts, who are dedicated to high-quality, high-value, patient-centered cancer care, have added PSMA-targeted PET imaging with piflufolastat F-18 in unfavorable intermediate, high and very high risk as well as recurrent disease to the updated 2021 guidelines, for the management of prostate cancer,” said Vice President of Medical Affairs at Lantheus, Bela Denes, MD.
Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.