The Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center (CGHMC) has recently taken significant strides in expanding access to state-of-the-art technology for patients with advanced prostate cancer.
The Department of Nuclear Medicine and Theranostics, in coordination with a multispecialty team of physicians, performed its first administration of Lutetium-177 Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen Radioligand Therapy (Lu-177 PRLT). The introduction of this revolutionary theranostic procedure at CGHMC marks a new chapter in cancer care in the hospital, which is committed to offering exceptional care within reach.
Lu-177 PRLT is indicated for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), a category of prostate cancer associated with a grim prognosis and several complications including bone pains and marrow failure in spite of adequate hormonal suppression. Conventional therapeutic options for mCRPC are offered with the goal of disease control and symptom relief. In recent years, major advances in theranostics – a branch of nuclear medicine that integrates therapy with diagnostics – have further optimized outcomes and personalized management of mCRPC with the use of Lu-177 PRLT.
This innovative nuclear medicine procedure employs a novel drug that combines the radioactive Lutetium-177 with a biomolecule that binds to the transmembrane protein called Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA), which is abundant in prostate cancer cells. The said drug preferentially accumulates in cells that overexpress PSMA and selectively delivers radiation on a molecular level, enabling nuclear medicine specialists to both ablate and visualize the prostate cancer cells throughout the body, while minimizing damage to the surrounding healthy tissues.
Studies and clinical trials across the globe attest to the value of theranostics in improving survival, alleviating symptoms, and enhancing the quality of life of patients with mCRPC. Evidence also shows that in well-selected individuals, the procedure can be safely given with only minor side effects. Additionally, based on international and local regulations, Lu-177 PRLT allows for patients to be safely accompanied by their companions during their stay at the hospital, granting an invaluable source of support for patients that are receiving treatment. This dedication to enhancing patient outcomes and ensuring patient comfort is rooted in the culture of exceptional care that lies at the core of CGHMC.
This inaugural case of Lu-177 PRLT is foreseen to be only one of many. CGHMC is poised to expand access to Lu-177 PRLT in the coming years as it positions itself as a leader in nuclear medicine and theranostics. Equipped with these groundbreaking medical advances, the Department of Nuclear Medicine and Theranostics will continue to work closely with its colleagues in different specialties to offer renewed hope and change lives in the battle against cancer.
