Doctors in developed countries, and especially in Germany, use Lu-177 therapy for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. It destroys the primary tumor and metastases, despite the fact that the drug is administered intravenously rather than intratumorally. In this publication, we will explain how it works and what the selectivity of radiotargeted therapy is associated with.
How does Lutetium find cancer cells?
Ligands help find and bind to cancer cells. Ligands are molecules that can selectively bind to other molecules. Think of ligands as keys looking for locks in the body. Keys only fit certain locks.
PSMA (prostate-specific membrane antigen) molecules are used as locks (targets for radiotargeted therapy). They are found only in prostate cells, both normal and cancer cells, but in cancer cells, PSMA expression is several hundred times higher. Most other tissues do not have PSMA at all.
This is why the PSMA-617 Lutetium-177 radionuclide therapy for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer is so selective. Thanks to the ligands, the radiopharmaceutical accumulates only in tissues with a high PSMA content.
What determines the effectiveness of therapy?
The effectiveness of Lutetium PSMA therapy depends on how many PSMA molecules are present in the cancer cells. Such cells bind with more radioactive substances and therefore can be destroyed faster.
PSMA expression tends to be higher in tumors with higher malignant potential. Therefore, PSMA therapy works better in more aggressive tumors, which is good news because it is the higher-grade tumors that more often reach the metastatic stage and more quickly develop into castration-resistant prostate cancer that is resistant to hormone therapy.
The effectiveness of the method is lower for less aggressive prostate tumors. They are more common than high-grade tumors. However, among patients with metastatic stage, there are more patients with aggressive forms of cancer because less malignant cancers are usually treated successfully at earlier stages.
PSMA therapy is therefore an ideal method for treating end-stage cancer because the more severe the pathology, the better Lutetium copes with it. In many cases, its use allows for long-term remission of the disease with the complete disappearance of all metastases or their significant shrinkage.
How does PSMA therapy work to destroy tumors?
The ligands themselves do not have cellular toxicity and cannot destroy cancer cells. They are only needed to selectively deliver the radionuclide to a specific receptor in the tumor tissue.
Lutetium-177 is used as a radionuclide. It is a source of short beta radiation. The radionuclide destroys pathologically altered cells with radiation, while causing little damage to normal tissues. Lutetium-177 works for several days and is then excreted from the body. Patients spend this time in the hospital, usually 4 days.
Where can I get Lutetium prostate cancer treatment?
Lutetium PSMA therapy is an approved method of prostate cancer treatment that is used in many hospitals in Germany. You are welcome to visit the Booking Health website to take advantage of the latest advances in medicine and undergo innovative radiotargeted treatment. On our website, you will find the best medical centers where you can make an appointment for therapy.
Please leave your request on the website to get a consultation from medical tourism specialists. The Booking Health specialists will select a clinic for you and take care of the organization of your trip.
