What are PSMA PET scans and Lutetium 177 treatment?
These are highly sensitive imaging and treatment techniques that target the Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA), which is expressed on prostate cancer cells.
It combines diagnostic imaging with targeted radiotherapy, hence the combined word ‘theranostics’ and it’s extremely effective at helping to diagnose and treat metastatic prostate cancer.
PSMA PET scans
- These are used to look for any potential spread of disease outside of the prostate. The radioactive marker binds to PSMA receptors expressed by the cancer cells. This then acts as a radioactive ‘beacon’ which can be seen on a scan.
- Your consultant may recommend this approach if they think that there’s a risk that the disease has spread or if they’re worried it’s relapsed.
Lutetium 177 Treatment
- This takes the PSMA PET scan a step further. The PSMA receptor is again the target, but a Lutetium 177 isotope is attached. This delivers a radiation dose to the cell with the aim of destroying it, allowing the delivery of highly focused radiation to the prostate cancer cells.
Although these approaches both use the same marker, they’re not always used together. Patients often only have the scan and are then recommended a different treatment, such as a prostatectomy.
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