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.

Castrate-Resistant-Prostate-Cancer-Treatment-–-Ac225-PSMA-Therapy-Targeted-Alpha-Therapy

Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer Treatment – Ac225 PSMA Therapy (Targeted Alpha Therapy)

Summary (10 sec read)

The Nuclear Oncology Experts at Fortis Memorial Research Institute have treated 150 castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients with Ac225 PSMA Therapy, yielding 75-80% significant radiological and biochemical response. The therapy is well-tolerated, with minimal side effects such as fatigue, mild blood count drops, and dry mouth. Ac225 used is highly purified and approved by the European Medicines Association and Indian Pharmacopia. Patients undergo three treatment cycles at two-month intervals, with additional cycles if needed. Each cycle requires a 24-hour hospital stay and dosimetry scans up to 24 hours post-treatment. For more information, contact +91 98111 27080 or info@nuclearmedicinetherapy.in.

In the past one year, the Nuclear Oncology Experts team at the Department of Nuclear Medicine at Fortis Memorial Research Institute has treated 30 new patients of Castrate Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC) with Ac225 PSMA Therapy (Targeted Alpha Therapy). And the results are similar to the results being achieved by most good Nuclear Medicine Centres across the world – 75-80% of the patients have shown evidence of a significant Radiological and Biochemical Response with prolonged duration of response.

ADVERSE EFFECTS:

The Ac225 PSMA Therapy is extremely well tolerated with minimal adverse effects that usually do not require any active management. The adverse effects usually experienced are fatigue in the immediate post-therapy, a transient mild drop in blood counts approximately three-weeks post-therapy and dry mouth.

SOURCING OF Ac 225:

The Ac225 used at the center is a highly purified form with no added carriers. I

t is approved by the European Medicines Association and also the Indian Pharmacopia. And the center ensures that the highest standards of quality are maintained at every level.

Also Read: Prostate Cancer Treatment

TREATMENT CYCLES:

For CRPC patients receiving Ac225 PSMA Therapy, there cycles of treatments at intervals of two months are administered. And depending upon the response to therapy, further salvage cycles may be given. For each treatment cycle, the patient needs to be admitted to the hospital for about 24 hours. And to monitor the treatment, the patients would need to undergo some Dosimetry Scans – these scans are done up to 24 hours post-treatment on an outpatient basis. Each treatment cycle takes about two days.

For further information and/ or consultation, Visit Nuclear Medicine Therapy, do call or write to us:
+91 98111 27080, info@nuclearmedicinetherapy.in

About Author / Manav Sadhwani

Hi, I am Manav. I have spent over 7 years working in the Healthcare Industry. My experience spans marketing and treatment management of oncology patients from across the globe.