If you or a loved one is living with advanced prostate cancer, you may have heard about a new treatment called Lu-177 PSMA therapy. It’s one of the most promising breakthroughs in cancer care—and it’s changing lives by offering hope where few options once existed.
What Is Lu-177 PSMA Therapy?
Lu-177 PSMA therapy is a form of advanced nuclear medicine treatment for prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic prostate cancer). It uses a special molecule that finds and attaches to a protein called PSMA (Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen), which is found in high amounts on prostate cancer cells.
Once it finds the cancer, it delivers a small dose of radiation—right to the tumor. This radiation damages the cancer cells from the inside, while leaving most healthy cells untouched.
Think of it like a guided missile: it searches for cancer cells and delivers treatment exactly where it’s needed.
How Does Lu-177 PSMA Therapy Work?
The treatment involves a radioactive substance called Lutetium-177 (Lu-177), which is attached to the PSMA-targeting molecule. Here’s how it works:
1. You receive the treatment through a simple IV injection.
2. The medicine travels through your bloodstream and finds prostate cancer cells.
3. It binds to the PSMA protein and delivers radiation directly to the cancer.
4. Over time, the cancer cells shrink or stop growing.
The treatment is usually given in cycles, spaced several weeks apart, depending on your doctor’s recommendation.
Who Can Get Benefit?
Lu-177 PSMA therapy is typically offered to men with advanced prostate cancer who:
- Have cancer that has spread beyond the prostate
- Have already tried other treatments like hormone therapy or chemotherapy
- Still have PSMA-positive cancer (confirmed through a special scan)
If your cancer shows up on a PSMA PET scan, you may be a good candidate for this therapy.
What Are the Benefits?
Many patients who receive Lu-177 PSMA therapy experience:
- Reduced pain from bone metastases
- Lower PSA levels (a marker of prostate cancer)
- Slower disease progression
- Improved quality of life
- Fewer side effects compared to chemotherapy
Because the treatment is so targeted, most patients tolerate it well. Common side effects may include mild fatigue, dry mouth, or nausea—but these are usually temporary.
Available at Sarvodaya Hospital-Theranostics Centre in Delhi NCR, India
At Theranostics Centre in Delhi NCR, India unit of Sarvodaya Hospital, we offer Lu-177 PSMA therapy in India as part of our advanced nuclear medicine program. Our expert team of nuclear medicine uses the latest imaging and treatment protocols to ensure each patient receives personalized, compassionate care.
We’ve seen firsthand how this therapy can bring relief and renewed hope to men who thought they were out of options.
A Brighter Path Forward
Lu-177 PSMA therapy isn’t just a treatment—it’s a lifeline. It offers a new way to fight prostate cancer with precision, power, and purpose.
If you or someone you love is facing advanced prostate cancer, talk to our advanced nuclear medicine specialist about whether this therapy could be right for you.
