What is Lutetium-177 Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen Therapy?
Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) Therapy is a targeted Nuclear Medicine radionuclide therapy for patients with advanced prostate cancer.
What is the purpose of Lutetium-177 Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen Therapy?
Lu-177 PSMA Therapy allows for very specific and targeted radiation on prostate cancer cells, which is usually radiosensitive. It is often used for metastatic Castrate Resistant Prostate Cancer. The therapy aims to shrink the tumor and stabilize the disease.
Patients whose bodies have not been responsive to other therapies or treatments may be referred to undergo this therapy.
What happens before Lutetium-177 Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen Therapy?
- Fasting is not required but water is permissible as you will need to stay hydrated
- Medications may need to be on hold until the therapy is completed. Consult your doctor or Nuclear Medicine Physician to check for detailed instructions
- Before the actual treatment, you will need to undergo a consultation session with a Nuclear Medicine Physician, a PET/CT PSMA scan, and some blood tests at different intervals
What happens during Lutetium-177 Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen Therapy?
- A cannula (a small plastic tube) will be placed into your vein
- You will be given anti-nausea medication
- You will receive intravenous hydration (normal saline). The administration of Lu-177 PSMA Therapy will commence about 60 minutes after administration of the normal saline
- The Lu-177 PSMA Therapy procedure will take place for about 30 minutes
- A Nuclear Medicine Technologist will monitor the level of radiation from you after the infusion procedure is completed at different intervals
- Each Lu-177 PSMA Therapy cycle involves an outpatient appointment at Nuclear Medicine Suite. You may be required to remain in the suite for an estimated 6-8 hours throughout the therapy session
- You will be scheduled to return the next day, at approximately 24 hours post-infusion, for a full body scan
What happens after Lutetium-177 Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen Therapy?
- There are potential risks and side effects in undergoing this treatment. Short term complications following administration of Lu-177 include nausea and headache
- Vomiting may also occur on rare occasions. Pre-medications are given to reduce the likelihood of these side effects
- You are encouraged to be on oral rehydration for at least two days after the procedure to keep your body hydrated
- After the procedure, the radiotracer will quickly decay and will be excreted through your urine
- Flush the toilet twice after each use. Avoid splashing while urinating to prevent contamination
- Normal activities can be resumed after the post-infusion full body scan
- Avoid prolonged close contact (at least six feet distance) with pregnant women and young children under the age of five, for at least one week after treatment
Should you feel unwell after the procedure, contact your doctor immediately or call our 24-HR Medical Urgency Clinic (65) at 6705 2999.
