Embracing the Practical Aspects of Theranostics With Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen-Targeted Lutetium-177.

Abstract

Treatment options for men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer are rapidly changing. In addition to novel anti-androgens and taxane-based chemotherapy, radiopharmaceuticals are having an increasing role. Although calcium-mimetic theranostics have been in use for years, newer approaches use molecularly targeted radiation therapy by conjugating isotopes to prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and in so doing directly target prostate cancer cells; ¹⁷⁷Lutetium-PSMA-617 is perhaps the best-known member of this new class. Expanding our capacity to deliver targeted beta-emitters requires additional planning and equipment. Having delivered close to 200 doses of ¹⁷⁷Lutetium-PSMA-617 at our center, we offer practical advice about patient selection, radiation safety, treatment administration, and toxicity monitoring. Although this blueprint is not the only way to expand a theranostics program beyond Radium-223, we offer our institutional experience with ¹⁷⁷Lutetium-PSMA-617 as an example to programs seeking to expand their radiopharmaceutical programs. We must rise to meet the patient-driven demand for these innovative and effective therapies.