Changes in Sodium MRI, Diffusion-Weighted MRI, and PSMA-PET 3-Months Post-Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Patients with Prostate Cancer

Motivation: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is used to treat intermediate- to high-risk prostate cancer (PCa) and significantly alters prostate anatomy. However, there are limited imaging studies investigating treatment response on a functional and molecular level. Goal(s): To assess tissue sodium concentration (TSC) measured by sodium MRI as a biomarker for ADT response in PCa. Approach: TSC was quantified in 14 participants with PCa using sodium MRI before and after 3 months of ADT. Diffusion-weighted MRI and prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (PSMA-PET) were also performed as clinical references. Results: Increased tumour TSC and decreased PSMA tracer uptake were observed post-ADT. Impact: For the first time, sodium MRI was used to measure changes in tissue sodium concentration pre- and post-androgen deprivation therapy in patients with prostate cancer. These findings may provide further insight on tumour response to ADT at a molecular level.