New Research Highlights Role of PSMA PET/CT Scans in Guiding Prostate Cancer Treatment

Study finds scans can predict progression-free survival and inform personalized therapy decisions for patients with recurrent disease.

Feb. 9, 2026 at 8:15pm

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New research published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network found that incorporating information from prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT scans can help predict progression-free survival and guide treatment planning for prostate cancer patients with rising PSA levels after surgery. The study analyzed data from 113 patients at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, showing PSMA PET/CT scans were strongly associated with long-term outcomes and frequently changed treatment recommendations compared to other measures like PSA levels alone.

Why it matters

This research highlights the growing importance of PSMA PET/CT imaging in the management of recurrent prostate cancer. By providing detailed information about the location and extent of disease, these scans can help clinicians tailor therapies to individual patients and potentially improve long-term outcomes while reducing side effects from less effective treatments.

The details

The study found that patients with no visible disease on PSMA PET/CT scans had the most favorable progression-free survival, and whole-pelvis radiotherapy provided no significant benefit over prostate bed radiotherapy alone in this group. However, whole-pelvis radiotherapy did significantly improve progression-free survival for patients with local, visible disease. For those with nodal or distant metastatic disease, androgen deprivation therapy was associated with improved progression-free survival.

  • The research was published in the February 2026 issue of JNCCN—Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
  • The study analyzed retrospective data from 113 prostate cancer patients treated at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The players

John Nikitas, MD

Lead researcher and UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

E. Christopher Dee, MD

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, who provided commentary on the study.

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What they’re saying

“This research highlights the importance of facilitating routine PSMA PET/CT scans in patients with a biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer after surgery to remove the prostate gland. The information from these scans is strongly associated with long-term outcomes and frequently changes treatment recommendations.”

— John Nikitas, MD, Lead Researcher

“PSMA PET imaging lets us move from one-size-fits-all radiation therapy in the secondary/salvage setting to treatment that's guided by the anatomy, and perhaps by extension, the actual biology of a patient's prostate cancer. This study shows that seeing where the cancer is, even at low PSA levels, may meaningfully shape treatment decisions and could potentially influence long-term outcomes.”

— E. Christopher Dee, MD

What’s next

The researchers noted that by using PET/CT scans, they may be able to tailor therapies to not only achieve better results but also to reduce side-effects by avoiding any treatments that are less likely to be effective. This study can help inform future prospective research in the secondary/salvage radiation space for prostate cancer.

The takeaway

This research demonstrates the growing clinical value of PSMA PET/CT imaging in guiding personalized treatment decisions for prostate cancer patients with recurrent disease. By providing detailed information about the location and extent of cancer, these scans can help clinicians optimize therapy and potentially improve long-term outcomes while minimizing unnecessary side effects.