New PSMA PET Scan Finds Returning Prostate Cancer Earlier at Low PSA Levels

A newer type of prostate cancer scan called ⁶⁴Cu-SAR-bisPSMA found more than twice as many cancer spots as a commonly used PSMA PET scan in men whose prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was rising after surgery, according to results from the Co-PSMA clinical trial.

The findings, which were shared in a news release from Clarity Pharmaceuticals, suggests the newer scan may help doctors find where prostate cancer has returned sooner and choose more personalized treatment plans.

What the study found about the new PSMA PET scan

In the study, the investigational imaging agent ⁶⁴Cu-SAR-bisPSMA detected prostate cancer in 78% of patients. By comparison, the standard PSMA PET scan using gallium-68 PSMA-11 detected cancer in 36% of patients.

The newer scan also found more cancer spots per person. Overall, it identified 63 lesions across the study group, compared with 24 found by the standard scan. Because doctors could see more clearly where the cancer was located, planned treatment changed for approximately 44% of patients.

For many men, that meant doctors were able to recommend more targeted approaches, such as focused radiation to specific areas, rather than broader treatments.

Why finding recurrence earlier matters for patients

After prostate removal surgery, some men experience a rising PSA, known as biochemical recurrence. At this stage, the cancer is often too small to be seen on conventional imaging, which can make it difficult to decide on the next step.

More sensitive scans like ⁶⁴Cu-SAR-bisPSMA may help locate small areas of cancer when PSA levels are still low. This is especially important for men who may still be candidates for potentially curative salvage therapy.

Finding the exact location of recurrent prostate cancer at an earlier stage may have important benefits for some patients. When doctors can see precisely where the cancer has returned, they may be able to recommend highly targeted radiation to a limited area rather than treating the entire pelvis or using broader approaches. This level of precision can help spare healthy tissue and reduce side effects.

Earlier and more accurate detection may also allow certain patients to avoid starting systemic therapies, such as hormone therapy, before they are truly needed. In addition, having clear imaging results can make treatment planning more straightforward, helping patients and their care teams feel more confident in choosing a personalized approach that aligns with their goals and clinical situation.

How the Co-PSMA trial was conducted

The phase 2 study included 50 men whose PSA had risen after prostatectomy and who had not yet received salvage treatment. PSA levels ranged from 0.2 to 0.75 ng/mL, a range in which cancer can be difficult to detect.

Each participant underwent both scans within approximately three weeks, allowing researchers to compare results in the same patient.

The main goal was to see which scan found more cancer sites per person.

Participants were men with early biochemical recurrence and low PSA levels who were being evaluated for potentially curative treatment. This reflects a common real-world situation in which better imaging could directly affect care decisions.

Additional findings and what comes next

The ⁶⁴Cu-SAR-bisPSMA scan uses a copper-based tracer that stays stable in the body longer than gallium-based tracers. This allows imaging the next day, which may help make small cancer spots easier to see.

Among patients who had follow-up testing to confirm results, the newer scan also showed a higher true-positive rate than the standard scan.

The findings will be presented at the 2026 European Association of Urology Congress, and larger studies are ongoing to determine whether finding more cancer earlier leads to better long-term outcomes.

For patients, these results highlight how quickly prostate cancer imaging is improving. Although ⁶⁴Cu-SAR-bisPSMA is still investigational and not yet widely available, it may one day help doctors detect recurrence sooner and tailor treatment more precisely.

Editor's note: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, as your own experience will be unique. Use this article to guide discussions with your oncologist. Content was generated with AI and reviewed by a human editor.

References

1. “Co-PSMA: Cu-64 SAR-bisPSMA more than doubled prostate cancer lesion and patient detection vs. Ga-68 PSMA-11 in head-to-head trial,” by Clarity Pharmaceuticals. News release; Feb.16, 2026.

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