Earlier use of Lutetium 177 treatments

Hi Ulf. I tried asking the same question a little while ago and didn't get much of a response. In the UK treatments have to be assessed by a governing body called NICE. Approval was originally granted but it looks as if it was subsequently withdrawn in 2023 using a cost/benefit analysis. It is offered privately at a few hospitals but a full 6 cycle cost of about 100K GBP. I presume that it may be covered by insurance. In Greece I am eligible for subsidised treatment so things like a PSMA PET CT costs 60 Euro, therefore, I am hoping that there will be a similar subsidy if my husband is recommended to have Lutetium 177.

I agree that a forum like this is a great place for bringing new drugs and treatment protocols to a wider audience so that everyone can have an informed discussion with their medical team. Another thing I have been looking at is BAT (bipolar androgen therapy) which is showing promise for men who develop hormone resistance. The UK has an excellent reputation for developing and evaluating new drugs and is involved with many trials which can be added in to the Stampede protocol which is allowing faster results and approvals.

Hi !

I recognice everything you are describing and it’s the same in Sweden. I suppose one of the problem is that, if everybody should have the possibility to the same treatment, then of course that will cost even if the benefit is clear.

Well, i know you are talking with your husbands MO and i suppose I’m not the only one that have gone through the treatment, for me early on, or is having a discussion with the MO regarding the possibility and I agree fully with you that this should be of interest for many here because it has the potential to change the landscape for recurrence, advanced metastatic PC and so on.

Well, we will see if there somebody joining us 

Best wishes - Ulf

Hi !

I’ve heard it mentioned (BAT) but never really looked into it. But when you mention the purpose, adressing hormone resistance that really sounds like an area to do research, especially if you reach that level then prognostiserat start to be really bad.

Didn’t know that about UK. can say thank you because I believe UK is a frontrunner in the development of Abiraterone (Zytiga) and I can only say; me like :)

The BAT is currently being moved into different areas as well which are testing whether it will sensitise the cancer in order to be more sensitive to second generation hormone therapy. Genetic screening is allowing more appropriate treatment to be offered. PARP inhibitors and immunotherapy are being developed as is repurposing existing therapies e.g. it has been found that BCG innoculated into the bladder is effective at killing off the cancer. Different radioligands are being looked at for targeted therapies. It's exciting times.

Hi !

Extremely interesting times really. My wife is a 10+ years myeloma survivor and in the blood cancer it’s very interesting to see how far bispecific antibodies and CAR-T have come. 10 years ago nobody talked about cures and no you talk about a cronic disease.

Yes targeted therapies like LU-177 is not the only one and there more coming.

Should be interesting to see who will crack the problem with ’ could tumors’ like prostate cancer and CAR-T or / and of the shelf-antibodies

So, yes interesting times 

Hi ,

Found interesting links of studies treating low volume PC in lymp nodes and 1-2 bone mets with Lutetium 177 and the results are really amazing. 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6497435/

https://aacrjournals.org/clincancerres/article/27/13/3595/671494/Lutetium-177-PSMA-617-in-Low-Volume-Hormone

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8566790/

Good reading and best wishes - Ulf

I have just read them and replied on your other thread. Many thanks.

Hi !

And the treatments keep coming. Same principle as Lutetium 177 but with a more powerful radio isotope. Good to see and perhaps in a few years they can test it in larger studies.

https://dailyreporter.esmo.org/news/actinium-225-shows-clinical-activity-in-metastatic-castration-resistant-prostate-cancer

Best wishes - Ulf