PSMA-targeted therapy (Pluvicto)
Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) therapy is a type of radiation therapy used to treat adults with prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It may be used when other treatments, like hormone therapy and chemotherapy, have already been tried.
PSMA therapy, also known as Lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan (Pluvicto), has been found to improve prostate cancer survival rates and quality of life, as well as slow the progression of the disease.
Allina Health Cancer Institute is one of only a few cancer treatment centers in Minnesota offering this treatment. Learn more about this treatment in the section below.
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What is PSMA-targeted therapy (Pluvicto)?
Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a marker found on the outside of prostate cancer cells. It can be detected with a special scan called a PSMA Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan and is found in more than 80% of prostate cancer patients.
Pluvicto is a prostate cancer treatment that targets PSMA-positive cancer cells. While it is not a cure, it can help patients live longer and slow the progression of the disease.
How does it work?
Pluvicto delivers radiation directly to PSMA-positive cancer cells, no matter where they are in the body, by attaching itself to PSMA proteins on the outside of a cell. Once the cell absorbs the drug, the medication attacks from inside the cell by releasing radiation. The radiation damages or destroys the PSMA positive cell with limited damage to surrounding cells.
Benefits of PMSA-targeted therapy
The benefits of Pluvicto include:
- Increased life expectancy
- Smaller tumors
- Lower prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels
- More time without cancer growth
What to expect with PMSA targeted therapy
Pluvicto is given via intravenous (IV) injection or infusion every six weeks for up to six treatments, depending on how you respond. Each treatment takes about an hour.
Because the drug is a radiopharmaceutical, you’ll need to follow important radiation safety instructions. Family members and friends are not allowed to be present during treatment. Following treatment, you’ll need to stay at least three feet away from others, especially children and pregnant women for three to seven days after each infusion.
Your care team will discuss specific safety precautions with you.
Common side effects include:
- Feeling tired
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Low red blood cell count
- Loss of appetite
- Changes in bowel movements (constipation or diarrhea)
- Vomiting
- Low blood platelet count
- Urinary tract infection
- Weight loss
- Abdominal pain
Is this treatment right for me?
This FDA-approved treatment can help if your prostate cancer:
- Isn’t responding to other standard treatments
- Has spread to other parts of your body
- Is PSMA positive