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. Vineet Pant - MBBS, DNB, FEBNM, Fellow Theranostics

A Nuclear Medicine Physician for more than seven years, Dr. Vineet Pant is currently a Senior Consultant & Unit Head at the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Fortis Memorial Research Research Institute (FMRI), Gurgaon, Haryana.

Dr, Vineet Pant is a Fellow from ENETS Centre of Excellence, Bad Berka Hospital, Germany, in the emerging field of Theranostics that combines specific targeted therapy based on specific targeted diagnostics tests. He has specialised in PRRT (Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy) and PRLT (PSMA-targeted Radioligand Therapy).

After completing his MBBS from LLRM Medical College, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, Dr. Vineet Pant completed his DNB (Diplomate of National Board) in Nuclear Medicine. He is also a Fellow of the European Board of Nuclear Medicine.

Dr. Vineet Pant is experienced in Radionuclide Therapy in Hyperthyroidism. His area of expertise is in treatment of Thyroid Cancer with Radioiodine Therapy; treatment of Neuroendocrine Tumour with Lu-177 PRRT; and treatment of Metastatic Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer with Lu-177 PSMA Therapy.

In 2006, Dr. Vineet was awarded the Professor Emeritus Ramadas Gold Medal for the Best Paper in Nuclear Thyroidology during the 38th Annual Conference of Society of Nuclear Medicine, India. He has also received the Bursery Award in recognition of presentation and participation at the World Theranostic Academy at Kovai Medical Centre & Hospital, Coimbatore in 2017.

When he isn’t working, Dr. Vineet Pant enjoys teaching. He is a Faculty for the Nuclear Medicine Technician Training (NMTT) Program that is organised under the aegis of Association of Nuclear Medicine Physicians of India (ANMPI). He is also a faculty for Diplomate of National Board (DNB) students at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). Apart from teaching, Dr. Vineet is a Guide/ Co-guide on two theses being done by post-graduate students at FMRI, Gurgaon.

Dr. Vineet Pant

Experience

Specialised Training

Consult Dr Ishita B Sen