Prostate cancer (CaP) is the most common cancer affecting North American men. However, as the cancer progresses, patients no longer respond to the treatments offered, and the cancer will inevitably spread to cause metastases, which are often located in the bones. In order to offer these patients more effective, personalized treatments, we need to be able to visualize these metastases and fully understand what cell types they are made up of, which may be different in the same patient. At present, patient follow-up is based on imaging examinations (magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT)) and blood tests to detect a rise in prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which is indicative of disease recurrence. However, these methods are not sensitive enough to properly identify the type of cells involved. The aim of this 3-year project is to develop new medical imaging tools to visualize and better characterize the different cells involved in metastatic prostate cancer, and thus provide better treatment for patients. Tools for visualizing cells are called tracers, while tools for better treatment are called radioligands. This new study therefore proposes that patients undergo three imaging tests (positron emission tomography (PET)), each with a different tracer (PSMA/FDG/OCTREOTATE) to properly identify the different cell types.

Another objective is to develop the radioligands needed for better treatment. Thanks to their tracer production and distribution capabilities, this innovative project will benefit patients at hospitals in Sherbrooke (CIUSSSE-CHUS), Quebec City (CHUQc-UL) and Montreal (CHUM, MUHC and CIUSSS-COMTL). This project will be carried out with the help of 100 patients who wish to participate. This study is made possible by the involvement of more than 36 researchers and physicians working in fields as varied as radiochemistry, radiotherapy, preclinical and clinical imaging, uro-oncology, radiology and pathology. This dynamic team, called TEMPO (ThEranostics against Metastatic PrOstate cancer) will work on the development and implementation of tracers and radioligands to accelerate research in uro-oncology. This project is supported by expert partners in the development of imaging methods (CIMS), clinical studies (CER) and clinics specializing in the follow-up of affected patients. The results of this clinical study will benefit the patient, helping to better identify patients eligible for more personalized treatment adapted to the evolution of their cancer, and to improve their quality of life.