The value of anti-1-amino-3-18F-fluorocyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid PET/CT in the diagnosis of recurrent prostate carcinoma: a meta-analysis

Background Anti-1-amino-3-[18F]fluorocyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid (anti-3-18F-FACBC) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), 11 C-choline PET/CT, 111In–capromab pendetide, and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been used for detecting prostate carcinoma relapse. Purpose To systematically review and perform a meta-analysis of published data regarding the performance of 18F-FACBC PET/CT in the diagnosis of recurrent prostate carcinoma. Material and Methods A comprehensive review of the literature regarding the role of 18F-FACBC PET/CT in the diagnosis of recurrent prostate carcinoma was performed. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the receiver-operating characteristic of 18F-FACBC PET/CT in the diagnosis of recurrent prostate carcinoma were calculated based on the included studies. Results Six studies comprising 251 patients, suspicious of prostate carcinoma recurrence, were included in this meta-analysis. 18F-FACBC PET/CT had an 87% pooled sensitivity, 66% pooled specificity, 0.93 the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve on a per patient-based analysis in detecting prostate carcinoma recurrence. Conclusion 18F-FACBC PET/CT was a non-invasive, metabolic imaging technique in the diagnosis of prostate carcinoma relapse.