In a nutshell
This article investigated the safety and effectiveness of Lutetium-177 PSMA (LuPSMA) for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The authors concluded that LuPSMA is a safe and effective treatment option for these patients.
Some background
mCRPC is cancer which has spread from its original site and is progressing despite hormonal treatment (not responding to treatment). Current treatment options include chemotherapy (medication which kills cancer cells), anti-hormonal therapy (medication which blocks male sex hormones) and antibody therapy (man-made molecules which attack the cancer cells).
An additional treatment option is with LuPSMA. This is a small molecule which targets a specific protein on prostate cancer cells. It is attached to a radioactive molecule which kills the cancer cells with radiation. LuPSMA is still considered an experimental treatment. Its overall effectiveness and safety are still under investigation.
Methods & findings
The study involved 50 patients with mCRPC. They underwent 4 cycles of treatment with LuPSMA over 18 months. The main outcomes measured were side effects and PSA (a protein that rises in prostate cancer) levels.
There was a decrease in PSA of more than 50% in 22 patients (44.9%). The main side effects experienced by patients included tiredness, stomach, and bowel upset, dry mouth, joint pain, nausea, leg pain, dry eyes and tingling in fingers and toes.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that LuPSMA is a safe and effective treatment option for advanced prostate cancer that has stopped responding to other treatments.
The fine print
This study included a small population of patients. Further larger studies are needed to determine the safety and effectiveness of this treatment option.
Published By :
Journal of medical imaging and radiation oncology
Date :
Apr 25, 2019
