What is Lu PSMA (Lutetium-Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen) Therapy?

Lu177 PSMA Therapy is a treatment for patients with prostate cancer, especially those who have become refractory to conventional therapy. Lutetium PSMA therapy helps to slow down the growth of the cancer cells, reduce the size of the tumours and most importantly improve the quality of life of the patients by reducing the pain caused by the cancer.

Many prostate cancers, in particular those that have spread or become resistant to hormonal therapies, express a unique receptor on their cell surface called Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA). When Prostate Cancer metastasizes i.e. spreads to other parts of the body, the PSMA receptor is expressed over the sites of metastases as well.

How does Lu PSMA Therapy Work?

Lutetium-177 is a radioactive substance that emits beta radiation, a destructive kind of radiation. Lutetium-177 is bound to a small peptide which attaches to the PSMA receptor expressed on the cancer cell surface. The Lutetium 177 – PSMA complex, thus attached to the prostate cancer cell, then emits killing radiation causing cell death of the cancer cell. Since the penetration of the emitted beta particle is very small, the surrounding normal cells are spared.

How is the Therapy Done?

Lu177 PSMA is administered intravenously. The patient is admitted to the hospital for 24 hours. A kidney function scan called a MAG3/EC scan is done prior to the administration of the Lu177 PSMA.

What are the Side Effects of Lu PSMA Therapy?

Lu177 PSMA is well tolerated. The most common side effects are a slightly dry mouth, fatigue and nausea. There may also be a slight fall in the white blood cells and platelets about 2 – 3 weeks after the Lu177 PSMA administration.

What is the Response Rate With Lu PSMA Therapy?

The response rates of Lu177 PSMA depend on the tumour biology of prostate cancer, the initial Gleason Score, the extent of disease and the responses to prior therapies. Typically, more than 70% of patients demonstrate a reduction in S. PSA and a shrinkage of tumours following Lu177 PSMA therapy.

When would the doctor consider using this Therapy?

Lu PSMA Therapy is a very specific therapy and is used for managing metastatic Prostate Cancer or when Prostate Cancer is no longer responsive to other types of treatment.

What are the Treatment Schedules with Lu PSMA Therapy?

Most patients undergo three-four treatment cycles at intervals of 8-12 weeks. The number of cycles and the interim duration may vary between individuals depending on the response and interim assessments.

Why should I choose the nuclear medicine therapy center at Fortis Memorial & Research Institute (FMRI), Gurugram (Haryana, India)?

The Nuclear Medicine Therapy Centre at FMRI was one of the first institutes to offer Radio-ligand Therapy with Lu PSMA, and today, the center receives patients from the country and from across the world.

Dr. Ishita B. Sen - MBBS, DRM, DNB | Nuclear Medicine Expert in India

With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Ishita B Sen is currently the Director and Head of the Department of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging at Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI), Gurgaon.

Dr. Sen, a Lady Hardinge Medical College & Associated Hospitals alumni, has received specialised training in Medical Management of Thyroid Cancer at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in NY, USA; Thyroid Cancer Preceptorship Program at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and the University of Marburg in Germany; and in Myocardial SPECT Imaging for Nuclear Medicine Physicians in Beijing, China.

With special interest in Nuclear Oncology, Radionuclide Therapy, PET Guided Interventional Procedures and Infection Imaging; Dr. Sen has worked at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi and the Artemis Health Institute in Gurgaon.

Apart from authoring numerous reviews, clinical communications and abstracts in Imaging and Oncology, she has also organized several workshops and seminars in Nuclear Medicine not only in India but overseas as well and has had the opportunity to speak at prominent national & international conferences. She has also been a guide for several students in writing their Theses during their Postgraduate Training.

Dr. Sen, in her professional capacity is the President of the Association of Nuclear Medicine Physicians of India; a Member of the International Task Force to prepare Standard Operating Procedures on the Use of Clinical Practice, International Energy Agency, Vienna; a DNB Teacher & Assessor in Nuclear Medicine, National Board of Examinations, India; and a Coinvestigator in the IAEA Project on the Role of Scintimammography using Newer Technetium Agents in the Detection of Breast Cancer.

Dr. Ishita B. Sen

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