Prospective close monitoring of the effect of vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy and high intensity focused ultrasound of localized prostate cancer by multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to describe the anatomical and functional changes observed in multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) during follow-up after focal therapy (FT) for localized prostate cancer (PCa). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, we analyzed pre- and postoperatively acquired mpMRI of 10 patients after FT (7 days; 3, 6, 9, 12 months). 7/10 (70%) patients underwent vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy (VTP). 3/10 (30%) patients underwent high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). MpMR image analysis was performed using a semi-automatic software for segmentation of the prostate gland (PG) and tumor zones. Signal intensities (SI) of T2-weighted (T2w), T1-weighted (T1w),diffusion-weighted (DWI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) images as well as volumes of the prostate gland (PGV) and tumor volumes (TV) were evaluated at each time point. RESULTS: The results showed a significant increase of PGV 7 days after FT (p = 0.042) and a significant reduction of PGV between 7 days and 6, 9 and 12 months after FT (p < 0.001). The TV increased significantly 7 days after FT (p < 0.001) and decreased significantly between 7 days and 12 months after FT (p < 0.001). There was a significant increase in SI of the ADC in the ablation zone after 6, 9 and 12 months after FT (p < 0.001). 1/9 patients (11%) had recurrent tumor on rebiopsy characterized as a a small focal lesion on mpMRI with strong diffusion restriction (low SI on ADC map and high SI on b-value DWI). CONCLUSION: MpMRI is able to represent morphologic changes of the ablated zone after FT and might be helpful to detect recurrent tumor.

Dual-energy computed tomography in supporting prostatic artery embolization for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Objective: Our study aims to evaluate the value of 256-slice dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in supporting prostatic artery embolization (PAE) under digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods: The study was conducted on 88 patients who underwent PAE to treat BPH from January 2022 to November 2023. Of these, 38 patients who had PAE without DECT were placed in group 1, while the other 50 patients with pre-interventional DECT were assigned to group 2. The results of DECT imaging of the prostate artery (PA) were compared with the results of DSA imaging. Test for statistically significant differences between the variables of the two research groups using the T - student test and Mann-Whitney test algorithms with p < 0.05 corresponding to a 95% confidence interval. The data were analyzed according to medical statistical methods using SPSS 20.0 software. Results: DECT can detect the PA origin in 96.1% of cases, identify atherosclerosis at the root of the artery with a sensitivity of 66.7% and a specificity of 89.5%, and present anastomosis with a sensitivity of 72.7% and a specificity of 72.2%. There is no statistically significant difference in PA diameter on DECT compared to DSA with 95% confidence. Group 2 used DECT for 3D rendering of the PA before PAE had procedure time reduced by 25.8%, fluoroscopy time reduced by 23.2%, dose-area product (DAP) reduced by 25.6%, contrast medium volume reduced by 33.1% compared to group 1 not using DECT, statistically significant with 95% confidence. Conclusion: DECT is a valuable method for planning before PAE to treat BPH. 3D rendering DECT of PA provides anatomical information that minimizes procedure time, fluoroscopy time, dose-area product, and contrast medium volume.

Comparison of Multiparametric MRI-targeted and Systematic Biopsies for Detection of Cribriform and Intraductal Carcinoma Prostate Cancer.

Background Intraductal carcinoma (IDC) and invasive cribriform (Cr) subtypes of prostate cancer (PCa) are an indication of aggressiveness, but the evidence regarding whether MRI can be used to detect Cr/IDC-pattern PCa is contradictory. Purpose To compare the detection of Cr/IDC-pattern PCa at multiparametric MRI (mpMRI)-targeted biopsy versus systematic biopsy in biopsy-naive men at risk for PCa. Materials and Methods This study was a secondary analysis of a prospective randomized controlled trial that recruited participants with a clinical suspicion of PCa between April 2017 and November 2019 at five centers. Participants were randomized 1:1 to either the MRI arm or the systematic biopsy arm. Targeted biopsy was performed in participants with a Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System score of at least 3. MRI features were recorded, and biopsy slides and prostatectomy specimens were reviewed for the presence or absence of Cr/IDC histologic patterns. Comparison of Cr/IDC patterns was performed using generalized linear mixed modeling. Results A total of 453 participants were enrolled, with 226 in the systematic biopsy arm (median age, 65 years [IQR, 59-70 years]; 196 biopsies available for assessment) and 227 in the mpMRI-targeted biopsy arm (median age, 67 years [IQR, 60-72 years]; 132 biopsies available for assessment). Identification of Cr/IDC PCa was lower in the systematic biopsy arm compared with the mpMRI arm (31 of 196 biopsies [16%] vs 33 of 132 biopsies [25%]; P = .01). No evidence of a difference in mean cancer core length (CCL) (11.3 mm ± 4.4 vs 9.7 mm ± 4.5; P = .09), apparent diffusion coefficient (685 µm2/sec ± 178 vs 746 µm2/sec ± 245; P = .52), or dynamic contrast-enhanced positivity (27 [82%] vs 37 [90%]; P = .33) for clinically significant PCa (csPCa) was observed between participants with or without Cr/IDC disease in the MRI arm. Cr/IDC-positive histologic patterns overall had a higher mean CCL compared with Cr/IDC-negative csPCa (11.1 mm ± 4.4 vs 9.2 mm ± 4.1; P = .009). Conclusion MRI-targeted biopsy showed increased detection of Cr/IDC histologic patterns compared with systematic biopsy. Clinical trial registration no. NCT02936258 © RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Scialpi and Martorana in this issue.

Comparison of synthesized and acquired high b-value diffusion-weighted MRI for detection of prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: High b-value diffusion-weighted images (DWI) are used for detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). This study qualitatively and quantitatively compares synthesized DWI (sDWI) to acquired (aDWI) for detection of csPCa. METHODS: One hundred fifty-one consecutive patients who underwent prostate MRI and biopsy were included in the study. Axial DWI with b = 0, 500, 1000, and 2000 s/mm2 using a 3T clinical scanner using a 32-channel phased-array body coil were acquired. We retrospectively synthesized DWI for b = 2000 s/mm2 via extrapolation based on mono-exponential decay, using b = 0 and b = 500 s/mm2 (sDWI500) and b = 0, b = 500 s/mm2, and b = 1000 s/mm2 (sDWI1000). Differences in signal intensity between sDWI and aDWI were evaluated within different regions of interest (prostate alone, prostate plus 5 mm, 30 mm and 70 mm margin and full field of view). The maximum DWI value within each ROI was evaluated for prediction of csPCa. Classification accuracy was compared to Restriction Spectrum Imaging restriction score (RSIrs), a previously validated biomarker based on multi-exponential DWI. Discrimination of csPCa was evaluated via area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS: Within the prostate, mean ± standard deviation of percent mean differences between sDWI and aDWI signal were -46 ± 35% for sDWI1000 and -67 ± 24% for sDWI500. AUC for aDWI, sDWI500, sDWI1000, and RSIrs within the prostate 0.62[95% confidence interval: 0.53, 0.71], 0.63[0.54, 0.72], 0.65[0.56, 0.73] and 0.78[0.71, 0.86], respectively. CONCLUSION: sDWI is qualitatively comparable to aDWI within the prostate. However, hyperintense artifacts are introduced with sDWI in the surrounding pelvic tissue that interfere with quantitative cancer detection and might mask metastases. In the prostate, RSIrs yields superior quantitative csPCa detection than sDWI or aDWI.

MRI-guided in-bore biopsy of the prostate - defining the optimal number of cores needed.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have shown that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-targeted biopsy approaches are superior to traditional systematic transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy (TRUS-Bx). The optimal number of biopsy cores to be obtained per lesion identified on multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) images, however, remains a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incremental value of additional biopsy cores in an MRI-targeted "in-bore"-biopsy (MRI-Bx) setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred and forty-five patients, who underwent MRI-Bx between June 2014 and September 2021, were included in this retrospective single-center analysis. All lesions were biopsied with at least five biopsy cores and cumulative detection rates for any cancer (PCa) as well as detection rates of clinically significant cancers (csPCa) were calculated for each sequentially labeled biopsy core. The cumulative per-core detection rates are presented as whole numbers and as proportion of the maximum detection rate reached, when all biopsy cores were considered. CsPCa was defined as Gleason Score (GS) ≥ 7 (3 + 4). RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-two of 245 Patients (53.9%) were diagnosed with prostate cancer and csPCa was found in 64 (26.1%) patients. The first biopsy core revealed csPCa/ PCa in 76.6% (49/64)/ 81.8% (108/132) of cases. The second, third and fourth core found csPCa/ PCa not detected by previous cores in 10.9% (7/64)/ 8.3% (11/132), 7.8% (5/64)/ 5.3% (7/132) and 3.1% (2/64)/ 3% (4/132) of cases, respectively. Obtaining one or more cores beyond the fourth biopsy core resulted in an increase in detection rate of 1.6% (1/64)/ 1.5% (2/132). CONCLUSION: We found that obtaining five cores per lesion maximized detection rates. If, however, future research should establish a clear link between the incidence of serious complications and the number of biopsy cores obtained, a three-core biopsy might suffice as our results suggest that about 95% of all csPCa are detected by the first three cores.

Computerized metric assessment of glandular tissue volume within the peripheral zone of the prostate using combined magnetic resonance imaging and histopathology: Possible pathophysiological implications on prostate cancer development.

PURPOSE: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) are prevalent urological ailments in elderly males. Numerous clinical studies have revealed an invert association between BPH/prostate size and PCa growth. This study investigates the association between prostate size and total glandular tissue volume of the peripheral zone (GVPZ) using a unique blend of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histo-anatomical imaging technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were selected who underwent both radical prostatectomy and preoperative MRI scans. MRI scans provided quantitative measurements of prostatic zone dimensions, while histo-anatomical slides yielded quantitative data on glandular density of the peripheral zone (PZ) using imaging software. Integration of MRI and histopathology enabled the assessment of the GVPZ. Statistical analysis identified relationships between total prostate volume (TPV) and GVPZ. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients were selected and 40 cc was determined to be the optimal cutoff for small-to-moderate versus large prostates. Once the two subgroups in TPV were formed, the relationship between TPV and GVPZ was found to be highly significant (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of MRI and histopathology offers a novel approach for precise quantification of glandular tissue within the prostatic PZ. This study corroborates the hypothesis of PZ compression via an enlarging transition zone in larger BPH prostates, resulting in PZ glandular atrophy. Given that most PCa originates in the PZ, these results shed light on the potential protective role of larger BPH prostates against PCa growth.

MRI-Targeted Prostate Fusion Biopsy: What Are We Missing outside the Target? Implications for Treatment Planning.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the added diagnostic value of systematic biopsies (SBx) after magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-targeted biopsies (TBx) and the presence of prostate cancer (PCa) outside MRI targets, in a prospective, contemporary, multicentric series of fusion biopsy patients. Methods: We collected data on 962 consecutive patients who underwent fusion biopsy between 2022 and 2024. Prostate cancer was considered clinically significant (csPCa) in the case of grade ≥ 2. Median test and Fisher exact chi-square tests were used. To identify predictors of out-field positivity, univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: Prostate cancer and csPCa were detected by TBx only in 56% and 50%, respectively, and by SBx only in 55% and 45%, respectively (p < 0.001). Prostate cancer and csPCa were diagnosed by TBx in 100 (10%) and 82 (8%) SBx-negative cases and by SBx in 86 (9%) and 54 (6%) TBx-negative cases (p < 0.001). Tumors outside MRI targets were found in 213 (33%) cases in the same lobe and 208 (32%) in the contralateral lobe, most of them being csPCa. Predictors of out-field contralateral PCa were positive DRE (HR 1.50, p 0.03), PSA density ≥ 0.15 (HR 2.20, p < 0.001), and PI-RADS score 5 (HR 2.04, p 0.01). Conclusions: Both TBx and SBx identify a non-negligible proportion of csPCa when the other modality is negative. SBx after TBx should always be considered given the risk of missing other csPCa foci within the prostate, especially in patients with positive DRE, PSA density ≥ 0.15, and PIRADS 5 lesions.

Enhancing prostate cancer diagnosis and reducing unnecessary biopsies with [18F]DCFPyL PET/CT imaging in PI-RADS 3/4 patients.

For patients presenting with prostate imaging reporting and data system (PI-RADS) 3/4 findings on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations, the standard recommendation typically involves undergoing a biopsy for pathological assessment to ascertain the nature of the lesion. This course of action, though essential for accurate diagnosis, invariably amplifies the psychological distress experienced by patients and introduces a host of potential complications associated with the biopsy procedure. However, [18F]DCFPyL PET/CT imaging emerges as a promising alternative, demonstrating considerable diagnostic efficacy in discerning benign prostate lesions from malignant ones. This study aims to explore the diagnostic value of [18F]DCFPyL PET/CT imaging for prostate cancer in patients with PI-RADS 3/4 lesions, assisting in clinical decision-making to avoid unnecessary biopsies. 30 patients diagnosed with PI-RADS 3/4 lesions through mpMRI underwent [18F]DCFPyL PET/CT imaging, with final biopsy pathology results as the "reference standard". Diagnostic performance was assessed through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, evaluating the diagnostic efficacy of molecular imaging PSMA (miPSMA) visual analysis and semi-quantitative analysis in [18F]DCFPyL PET/CT imaging. Lesions were assigned miPSMA scores according to the prostate cancer molecular imaging standardized evaluation criteria. Among the 30 patients, 13 were pathologically confirmed to have prostate cancer. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of visual analysis in [18F]DCFPyL PET/CT imaging for diagnosing PI-RADS 3/4 lesions were 61.5%, 88.2%, 80.0%, 75.0%, and 76.5%, respectively. Using SUVmax 4.17 as the optimal threshold, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy for diagnosis were 92.3%, 88.2%, 85.7%, 93.8%, and 90.0%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for semi-quantitative analysis was 0.94, significantly higher than visual analysis at 0.80. [18F]DCFPyL PET/CT imaging accurately diagnosed benign lesions in 15 (50%) of the PI-RADS 3/4 patients. For patients with PI-RADS 4 lesions, the positive predictive value of [18F]DCFPyL PET/CT imaging reached 100%. [18F]DCFPyL PET/CT imaging provides potential preoperative prediction of lesion nature in mpMRI PI-RADS 3/4 patients, which may aid in treatment decision-making and reducing unnecessary biopsies.

[Transperineal versus transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy in detection of clinically significant and insignificant prostate cancer: A prospective randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To compare transperineal prostate biopsy (TPB) with transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUSB) in detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) and insignificant PCa (insPCa). METHODS: We conducted a prospective randomized clinical study on 279 patients receiving TPB (n = 144) or TRUSB (n = 135) from January 2022 to January 2023, and compared the detection rates of csPCa and insPCa between the two groups. RESULTS: The detection rate of PCa was significantly higher in the TPB than in the TRUSB group (37.50% vs 28.15%, P = 0.026). There were no statistically significant differences between the TPB and TRUSB groups in the detection rates of insPCa (6.94% ï¼»n = 10ï¼½ vs 4.45% ï¼»n = 6ï¼½, P > 0.05) and csPCa (30.56% ï¼»n = 44ï¼½ vs 23.70% ï¼»n = 32ï¼½, P > 0.05), nor in the detection rate of csPCa between different groups of age, PSA concentration and prostate volume (P > 0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed between the TPB and TRUSB groups either in the positive rate of biopsy punctures (ï¼»16.44 ± 2.86ï¼½% vs ï¼»12.48 ± 2.39ï¼½%, P > 0.05) or in the biopsy-related complications of urinary retention, urinary tract infection, hematuria and rectal bleeding (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: TPB is more effective than TRUSB in detection of PCa, but there is no statistically significant difference between the two approaches in the detection rates of csPCa and insPCa.

Research on the mean maximum Young's modulus value as a new diagnostic parameter for prostate cancer.

Ultrasound-based shear wave elastography (SWE) can non-invasively assess prostate tissue stiffness for the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa). So far, there is no widely recognized standard for the detection process and calculation method of Young's modulus value in transrectal SWE ultrasound imaging (TSWEUI). In our study, the mean maximum Young's modulus value (m-Emax) of the maximum cross-section of prostate is obtained by calculating the mean of 12 measured Emax in the four quadrants. This retrospective study included 209 suspected malignant prostate disease patients with pathological results in our hospital. Among the 209 patients, 75 patients completed TSWEUI, and 63 of the 75 patients completed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of 75 patients for m-Emax was 0.754. The prostate volume, prostate-specific antigen, and m-Emax were used to develop a nomogram (AUC = 0.868). The nomogram could effectively predict the probability of PCa, thereby reducing the needle biopsy rate for diagnosing PCa. The AUC of 63 patients was not statistically different between m-Emax (AUC = 0.717) and MRI (AUC = 0.787) (P = 0.361). These indicate that m-Emax can be used as an innovative parameter in TSWEUI to diagnosis PCa. TSWEUI is more cost-effective than MRI in diagnosing PCa.

Clinical value of ultrasound-guided full-needle path anesthesia in transperineal prostate biopsy: An observational study.

BACKGROUND: The pain sensation in a transperineal prostate biopsy was obvious. This study explored the clinical value of ultrasound-guided full-needle path anesthesia in transperineal prostate biopsy. METHODS: Two hundred patients who underwent ultrasound-guided transperineal prostate biopsy at our department were randomly divided into 2 groups. The control group received routine local infiltration anesthesia, and the experimental group received ultrasound-guided full-needle path anesthesia. Immediately after biopsy, visual analog scoring was used to evaluate pain during the biopsy process. Seven days postbiopsy, telephone follow-up revealed symptoms, such as hematuria and discomfort during urination. The measured data were expressed as x ±â€…s. The 2 groups were compared using the t test, and the differences were statistically significant (P < .05). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, or prostate volume between the 2 groups, and all patients underwent prostate biopsy. The pain score of visual analog score was (2.55 ±â€…0.88), urination discomfort was (1.86 ±â€…0.67) days and hematuria time was (2.87 ±â€…0.91) days in the experimental group after biopsy. In the control group, the pain score of visual analog scale was (4.32 ±â€…0.94), the urination discomfort was (2.3 ±â€…0.77) days, and the hematuria time was (2.85 ±â€…0.83) days. Pain scores and urination discomfort were compared between the 2 groups (P < .01). Pain and urination discomfort associated with prostate biopsy in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided full needle path anesthesia can alleviate pain sensation in patients undergoing transperineal prostate biopsy and has high clinical value.

Deep-learning-based segmentation using individual patient data on prostate cancer radiation therapy.

PURPOSE: Organ-at-risk segmentation is essential in adaptive radiotherapy (ART). Learning-based automatic segmentation can reduce committed labor and accelerate the ART process. In this study, an auto-segmentation model was developed by employing individual patient datasets and a deep-learning-based augmentation method for tailoring radiation therapy according to the changes in the target and organ of interest in patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: Two computed tomography (CT) datasets with well-defined labels, including contoured prostate, bladder, and rectum, were obtained from 18 patients. The labels of the CT images captured during radiation therapy (CT2nd) were predicted using CT images scanned before radiation therapy (CT1st). From the deformable vector fields (DVFs) created by using the VoxelMorph method, 10 DVFs were extracted when each of the modified CT and CT2nd images were deformed and registered to the fixed CT1st image. Augmented images were acquired by utilizing 110 extracted DVFs and spatially transforming the CT1st images and labels. An nnU-net autosegmentation network was trained by using the augmented images, and the CT2nd label was predicted. A patient-specific model was created for 18 patients, and the performances of the individual models were evaluated. The results were evaluated by employing the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), average Hausdorff distance, and mean surface distance. The accuracy of the proposed model was compared with those of models trained with large datasets. RESULTS: Patient-specific models were developed successfully. For the proposed method, the DSC values of the actual and predicted labels for the bladder, prostate, and rectum were 0.94 ± 0.03, 0.84 ± 0.07, and 0.83 ± 0.04, respectively. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated the feasibility of automatic segmentation by employing individual patient datasets and image augmentation techniques. The proposed method has potential for clinical application in automatic prostate segmentation for ART.

Comparative Analysis of the Apparent Diffusion Coefficient and Diffusion Tensor Imaging in the Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to demonstrate capabilities of diffusion tensor imaging as a diagnostic tool for prostate cancer in comparison with the apparent diffusion coefficient. METHODS: 364 patients with suspected prostate cancer underwent multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging including diffusion tensor imaging. RESULTS: The anatomical structure of the prostate obtained on T2-weighted imaging was compared with the apparent diffusion coefficient and diffusion tensor imaging maps. The rest of the gland (central and peripheral regions) were used as healthy areas. The apparent diffusion coefficient at diffusion-weighted imaging, fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity at diffusion tensor imaging were evaluated in pathological zones. Cancer-suspicious areas of the prostate had high fractional anisotropy fractional anisotropy and low mean diffusivity compared to unaltered areas. Fractional anisotropy values were significantly elevated in central gland cancer, compared to normal tissue, and slightly elevated in peripheral zone cancer. CONCLUSION: Diffusion tensor imaging has the potential to identify prostate cancer with high accuracy and specificity. The combination of standard magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging can significantly improve the prognosis of the disease during active surveillance. The fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity values can be useful in assessing the grade of malignancy and the radiolopathological correlation of the lesion.

[Predictive effect of the dual-parametric MRI modified maximum diameter of the lesions with PI-RADS 4 and 5 on the clinically significant prostate cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the rationality of the maximum lesion diameter of 15 mm in prostate imaging reporting and data system (PI-RADS) as a criterion for upgrading a lesion from category 4 to 5 and improve it to enhance the prediction of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). METHODS: In this study, the patients who underwent prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and prostate biopsy at Peking University First Hospital from 2019 to 2022 as a development cohort, and the patients in 2023 as a validation cohort were reviewed. The localization and maximum diameter of the lesion were fully evaluated. The area under the curve (AUC) and the cut-off value of the maximum diameter of the lesion to predict the detection of csPCa were calculated from the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. Confounding factors were reduced by propensity score matching (PSM). Diagnostic efficacy was compared in the validation cohort. RESULTS: Of the 589 patients in the development cohort, 358 (60.8%) lesions were located in the peripheral zone and 231 (39.2%) were located in the transition zone, and 496 (84.2%) patients detected csPCa. The median diameter of the lesions in the peripheral zone was smaller than that in the transition zone (14 mm vs. 19 mm, P < 0.001). In the ROC analysis of the maximal diameter on the csPCa prediction, there was no statistically significant difference between the peri-pheral zone (AUC=0.709) and the transition zone (AUC=0.673, P=0.585), and the cut-off values were calculated to be 11.5 mm for the peripheral zone and 16.5 mm for the migrating zone. By calcula-ting the Youden index for the cut-off values in the validation cohort, we found that the categorisation by lesion location led to better predictive results. Finally, the net reclassification index (NRI) was 0.170. CONCLUSION: 15 mm as a criterion for upgrading the PI-RADS score from 4 to 5 is reasonable but too general. The cut-off value for peripheral zone lesions is smaller than that in transitional zone. In the future consideration could be given to setting separate cut-off values for lesions in different locations.

[Diagnostic efficacy of targeted biopsy combined with regional systematic biopsy in prostate cancer in patients with PI-RADS 4-5].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnostic efficacy of targeted biopsy combined with regional systematic biopsy in prostate cancer (PCa) in patients with prostate imaging reporting and data system v2.1 (PI-RADS v2.1) 4-5. METHODS: From January 2023 to October 2023, patients who underwent prostate biopsy for the first time with total prostate specific antigen (tPSA) ≤ 20 ng/mL and had a multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) PI-RADS of 4-5 in Peking University First Hospital were prospectively collected. All the patients underwent transrectal ultrasound-guided cognitive fusion targeted biopsy (3 cores) followed by systematic biopsy (12 cores). Various hypothetical biopsy schemes were defined based on different biopsy sites. The detection effectiveness of targeted biopsy combined with regional systematic biopsy and other biopsy schemes for prostate cancer were compared using Cochran's Q and McNemar tests. RESULTS: A total of 255 patients were enrolled, of whom 204 (80.0%) were detected with prostate adenocarcinoma and 187 (73.3%) were clinically significant with prostate cancer (csPCa). The detection rate of PCa with targeted biopsy was significantly lower than that of targeted biopsy combined with 12-core system biopsy (77.3% vs. 80.0%, P=0.016), and 71.4% (5/7) of the missed patients was csPCa. There was no significant difference in the detection rate between targeted biopsy combined with 4-core regional system biopsy and 12-core system biopsy (P>0.999), and 1 case of csPCa and clinically insignificant prostate cancer (cisPCa) were missed. There was no significant difference in the detection rate of PCa between targeted combined regional system biopsy and targeted combined lateral or traditional 6-core system biopsy and the number of cores were reduced. Missed diagnosis of targeted biopsy was correlated with the maximum diameter of the lesion (OR=0.086, 95%CI: 0.013-0.562, P=0.010). For the patients with PI-RADS 5, only 1 case of PCa was missed in 122 cases by targeted biopsy alone. For patients with PI-RADS 4, 6 PCa cases were missed among the 133 patients with targeted biopsy alone, and 1 case of csPCa and cisPCa were missed by targeted biopsy combined with regional system biopsy. The statistics of positive core counts for different biopsy schemes indicated that targeted combined regional systematic biopsy had a higher proportion of positive cores second only to targeted biopsy alone. CONCLUSION: Targeted biopsy combined with regional systematic biopsy has high diagnostic efficacy in patients with PI-RADS 4-5 and can be considered as one of the improved schemes for combined biopsy. Targeted biopsy alone is also a feasible option for patients for patients with a PI-RADS score of 5.

Metabolic imaging across scales reveals distinct prostate cancer phenotypes.

Hyperpolarised magnetic resonance imaging (HP-13C-MRI) has shown promise as a clinical tool for detecting and characterising prostate cancer. Here we use a range of spatially resolved histological techniques to identify the biological mechanisms underpinning differential [1-13C]lactate labelling between benign and malignant prostate, as well as in tumours containing cribriform and non-cribriform Gleason pattern 4 disease. Here we show that elevated hyperpolarised [1-13C]lactate signal in prostate cancer compared to the benign prostate is primarily driven by increased tumour epithelial cell density and vascularity, rather than differences in epithelial lactate concentration between tumour and normal. We also demonstrate that some tumours of the cribriform subtype may lack [1-13C]lactate labelling, which is explained by lower epithelial lactate dehydrogenase expression, higher mitochondrial pyruvate carrier density, and increased lipid abundance compared to lactate-rich non-cribriform lesions. These findings highlight the potential of combining spatial metabolic imaging tools across scales to identify clinically significant metabolic phenotypes in prostate cancer.

Comparison of Positive Predictive Values of Biparametric MRI and Multiparametric MRI-directed Transrectal US-guided Targeted Prostate Biopsy.

Background Biparametric MRI (bpMRI) of the prostate is an alternative to multiparametric MRI (mpMRI), with lower cost and increased accessibility. Studies investigating the positive predictive value (PPV) of bpMRI-directed compared with mpMRI-directed targeted biopsy are lacking in the literature. Purpose To compare the PPVs of bpMRI-directed and mpMRI-directed targeted prostate biopsies. Materials and Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated men who underwent bpMRI-directed or mpMRI-directed transrectal US (TRUS)-guided targeted prostate biopsy at a single institution from January 2015 to December 2022. The PPVs for any prostate cancer (PCa) and clinically significant PCa (International Society of Urological Pathology grade ≥2) were calculated for bpMRI and mpMRI using mixed-effects logistic regression modeling. Results A total of 1538 patients (mean age, 67 years ± 8 [SD]) with 1860 lesions underwent bpMRI-directed (55%, 849 of 1538) or mpMRI-directed (45%, 689 of 1538) prostate biopsy. When adjusted for the number of lesions and Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) score, there was no difference in PPVs for any PCa or clinically significant PCa (P = .61 and .97, respectively) with bpMRI-directed (55% [95% CI: 51, 59] and 34% [95% CI: 30, 38], respectively) or mpMRI-directed (56% [95% CI: 52, 61] and 34% [95% CI: 30, 39], respectively) TRUS-guided targeted biopsy. PPVs for any PCa and clinically significant PCa stratified according to clinical indication were as follows: biopsy-naive men, 64% (95% CI: 59, 69) and 43% (95% CI: 39, 48) for bpMRI, 67% (95% CI: 59, 75) and 51% (95% CI: 43, 59) for mpMRI (P = .65 and .26, respectively); and active surveillance, 59% (95% CI: 49, 69) and 30% (95% CI: 22, 39) for bpMRI, 73% (95% CI: 65, 89) and 38% (95% CI: 31, 47) for mpMRI (P = .04 and .23, respectively). Conclusion There was no evidence of a difference in PPV for clinically significant PCa between bpMRI- and mpMRI-directed TRUS-guided targeted biopsy. © RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article.

A Case of Hemi-ablation with High-intensity Focused Ultrasound for a Localized Reducted Solitary Lesion in the Prostate.

Recently, effectiveness of local treatment for oncological outcomes for patients with metastatic prostate cancer (PC) has been reported. We performed hemi-ablation with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for a patient with a localized reducted solitary lesion in the prostate, which was diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-transrectal ultrasound fusion image-guided target biopsy with PSA level of 0.24 ng/mL, after androgen receptor signaling inhibitors (ARSIs) and chemotherapy for metastatic PC. Prostate specific antigen levels decreased to 0.01ng/mL at 1 month after the treatment, and cancer suspicious lesion disappeared on MRI. During the follow-up of 24 months, there was no elevation of PSA level with no severe complication related to the treatment. HIFU has possibility to be an effective and minimally invasive treatment as a local treatment for the localized reducted solitary lesion in the prostate after ARSIs and chemotherapy for metastatic PC.

Implications of unconventional histological subtypes on magnetic resonance imaging and oncological outcomes in patients who have undergone radical prostatectomy.

The prognostic significance of unconventional histology (UH) subtypes including intraductal carcinoma of the prostate (IDC-P), ductal adenocarcinoma, and cribriform pattern has been investigated for prostate cancer (PCa). However, little is known about magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and the oncological impact of tumor localization in localized PCa with UH. Clinical data of 211 patients with acinar adenocarcinoma (conventional histology [CH]) and 82 patients with UH who underwent robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) were reviewed. Patients with UH are more likely to be older and have higher Gleason grade group, higher Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) v2.1 score, and larger tumor volume (TV) than those with CH. Multivariate analysis identified the presence of UH as an independent prognostic factor for progression-free survival (PFS) (hazard ration (HR) 2.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22-0.79, P = 0.0073). No significant difference in PFS was seen regarding tumor localization (transition zone [TZ] or peripheral zone [PZ]) in patients with UH (P = 0.8949), whereas PZ cancer showed shorter PFS in patients with CH (P = 0.0174). PCa with UH was associated with higher progression than PCa with CH among resection margin (RM)-negative cases (P < 0.0001). Further, increased PI-RADS v2.1 score did not correlate with larger TV in UH (P = 0.991), whereas a significant difference in TV was observed in CH (P < 0.0001). The prognostic significance of UH tumor was independent of tumor localization, and shorter PFS was observed even in RM-negative cases, indicating an aggressive subtype with micro-metastatic potential. Furthermore, UH tumors are more likely to harbor a large TV despite PI-RADS v2.1 score ≤ 3. These findings will help optimal perioperative management for PCa with UH.

External validation and comparison of magnetic resonance imaging-based risk prediction models for prostate biopsy stratification.

PURPOSE: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a promising tool for risk assessment, potentially reducing the burden of unnecessary prostate biopsies. Risk prediction models that incorporate MRI data have gained attention, but their external validation and comparison are essential for guiding clinical practice. The aim is to externally validate and compare risk prediction models for the diagnosis of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). METHODS: A cohort of 4606 patients across fifteen European tertiary referral centers were identified from a prospective maintained database between January 2016 and April 2023. Transrectal or transperineal image-fusion MRI-targeted and systematic biopsies for PI-RADS score of ≥ 3 or ≥ 2 depending on patient characteristics and physician preferences. Probabilities for csPCa, defined as International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade ≥ 2, were calculated for each patients using eight models. Performance was characterized by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), calibration, and net benefit. Subgroup analyses were performed across various clinically relevant subgroups. RESULTS: Overall, csPCa was detected in 2154 (47%) patients. The models exhibited satisfactory performance, demonstrating good discrimination (AUC ranging from 0.75 to 0.78, p < 0.001), adequate calibration, and high net benefit. The model described by Alberts showed the highest clinical utility for threshold probabilities between 10 and 20%. Subgroup analyses highlighted variations in models' performance, particularly when stratified according to PSA level, biopsy technique and PI-RADS version. CONCLUSIONS: We report a comprehensive external validation of risk prediction models for csPCa diagnosis in patients who underwent MRI-targeted and systematic biopsies. The model by Alberts demonstrated superior clinical utility and should be favored when determining the need for a prostate biopsy.