PET/CT imaging 2 h after injection of [(18)F]PSMA-1007 can lead to higher staging of prostate cancer than imaging after 1 h

BACKGROUND: [(18)F]PSMA-1007 is a prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) ligand for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of prostate cancer. Current guidelines recommend imaging 90–120 min after injection but strong data about optimal timing is lacking. Our aim was to study whether imaging after 1 h and 2 h leads to a different number of detected lesions, with a specific focus on lesions that might lead to a change in treatment. METHODS: 195 patients underwent PET with computed tomography imaging 1 and 2 h after injection of [(18)F]PSMA-1007. Three readers assessed the status of the prostate or prostate bed and suspected metastases. We analyzed the location and number of found metastases to determine N- and M-stage of patients. We also analyzed standardized uptake values (SUV) in lesions and in normal tissue. RESULTS: Significantly more pelvic lymph nodes and bone metastases were found and higher N- and M-stages were seen after 2 h. In twelve patients (6.1%) two or three readers agreed on a higher N- or M-stage after 2 h. Conversely, in two patients (1.0%), two readers agreed on a higher stage at 1 h. SUVs in suspected malignant lesions and in normal tissues were higher at 2 h, but lower in the blood pool and urinary bladder. CONCLUSIONS: Imaging at 2 h after injection of [(18)F]PSMA-1007 leads to more suspected metastases found than after 1 h, with higher staging in some patients and possible effect on patient treatment. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41824-023-00167-4.