TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR PROSTATE CANCER:

 

THERANOSTICS:  A personalized medicine approach that combines diagnostics and therapeutics to treat cancer. 

Lutetium- 177 PSMA Radioligand Therapy (RLT) also called Pluvicto:
A treatment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) that uses radiation to target prostate cancer cells.

How it works:  A radioactive agent called Lutetium-177 (Lu) is attached to the PSMA antibody that binds to a molecule on the surface of prostate cancer cells.  The Lutetium then emits radiation to directly kill the cancer cells.

How it’s performed: Lu-PSMA is injected intravenously repeatedly every 8 weeks.

How it’s used:  Lu-PSMA RLT is used in combination with a PSMA PET Scan which uses imaging to identify the cancer.

Benefits:  Lu-PSMA RLT can improve survival rates and quality of life and extend the time it takes for the disease to progress.

Safety:  Lu-PSMA RLT is generally considered safe, with manageable side effects like anemia or thrombocytopenia.  In which these are vitamin deficiencies that can be resolved with proper vitamin B12, and Iron Supplements combined with the right nutritional diet plan that can eliminate the deficiencies.

 

FDA: Treatment Approval Press Release: 

REFERENCES

1. FDA approves Novartis radioligand therapy Pluvicto for earlier use before chemotherapy in PSMA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. News release. Novartis Pharma AG. Published online and accessed March 28, 2025. https://www.novartis.com/news/media-releases/fda-approves-novartis-radioligand-therapy-pluvicto-earlier-use-chemotherapy-psma-positive-metastatic-castration-resistant-prostate-cancer.

2. Novartis Pluvicto approved by FDA as first targeted radioligand therapy for treatment of progressive, PSMA positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. News release. Novartis. March 23, 2022. Accessed March 28, 2025. https://www.novartis.com/news/media-releases/novartis-pluvictotm-approved-fda-first-targeted-radioligand-therapy-treatment-progressive-psma-positive-metastatic-castration-resistant-prostate-cancer.

 

XOFIGO: Is a radioactive drug used to treat prostate cancer that has spread to the bones.

Who it’s for:  Xofigo is for patients with prostate cancer that has spread to the bones but not any other organs and is not responding to other treatments.  This includes patients whose cancer is castration resistant, meaning it hasn’t responded to treatments that lower testosterone levels.

How it works:  Xofigo is a targeted therapy that contains a radioactive substance that collects in the bones and gives off radiation to kill cancer cells.  It also has a tumor-targeted part that helps the medication fight only the tumor cells.

Treatment:  Xofigo treatment involves monthly treatments with IV Injections for six months.  Side effects could include nausea, diarrhea, and low blood counts.  Again, these are side effects that can be managed.

Benefits:  Xofigo can help reduce symptoms like bone pain, and clinical studies have shown that it can extend average survival by almost a third

LUTATHERA:  Lutathera (lutetium Lu 177 dotatate) is a radioactive medication used to treat neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). A type of cancer that effects the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas.

How it works:  Lutathera contains a radioactive isotope called lutetium-177.  It works by targeting and delivering radiation directly to NET cells that express somatostatin receptors.  This targeted radiation can help to shrink tumors, slow their growth, and improve survival rates.

How it’s performed:  Lutathera is typically administered as an intravenous infusion.  The treatment usually involves multiple infusions, spaced 8-16 weeks apart.

Benefits:  Lutathera has been shown to be effective in treating NETs, especially in patients with advanced or progressive disease.  It can slow tumor, reduce risk of disease progression, and improve survival rates.

Side Effects: The most common side effects of Lutathera include:
.  Nausea
.  Vomiting
.  Diarrhea
.  Fatigue
.  Low blood cell counts
.  Bone marrow suppression

Eligibility:  Lutathera is typically prescribed to patients with: Advanced NETs that express somatostatin receptors, NETS that have not responded to other treatments, and Good overall health.

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