Prostate cancer is relatively widespread among the middle year’s men. Currently, researchers are unable to pinpoint with 100% certainty the causes of prostate cancer.
Probably the disease appearance can be inherited or triggered by a particular lifestyle. Derived genes influence approximately 10% of prostate cancer cases. It is also believed that stress, exposure to radiation, hormonal imbalance in the male body, or the influence of chemicals also lead to changes in the genes that result in carcinoma.
The speedy progress of the mentioned cancer type is a huge medical and social problem. Treatment at the advanced stage of the disease is difficult due to multiple metastases. However, it is possible to solve such a problem via the advent of targeted therapy. Currently, the specialists have increasingly begun to use the Lutetium-177 PSMA drug at struggle with the disease.
What is this and what is the mechanism of its action?
The Lutetium-177 PSMA helps visualize cancer cells (including metastases), as well as carry out targeted radiotherapy. It allows reducing the size of the tumor and stopping the development of neoplasms even at the metastatic phase (when other types of treatment are useless). If you are interested in the Lutetium 177 octreotate therapy, visit the https://bookinghealth.com/disease/lutetium-177-psma-therapy and get acquainted with treatment price, available clinics, and other useful information.
How does lutetium-177 PSMA work?
A specific protein (which is not present in the cells of other organs) is located on the prostate gland cells (it is a prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)). It is noteworthy that prostate cancer cells also contain this protein, but in much larger quantities than healthy cells. When scientists identified PSMA and made sure that it was specific for the prostate, it immediately became clear that it could be used as an aim for targeted therapy.
Scientists synthesized a specific ligand molecule that affixes to PSMA without affecting healthy cells. The radioactive nuclide of Lutetium-177 is also attached to the ligand molecule. The Lutetium-177 irradiates the cancer cell and leads to the death of the latter. The advantage of this treatment method is that healthy body cells are almost not exposed to the destructive effect of radiation. The main part of the radioactive flow is directed only to cancer cells, where the drug’s molecules are attached. Another advantage of this treatment is the ability to visualize. The drug is fluorescent and glows under the influence of light waves of a certain length.
The mentioned treatment is safe in most cases. At the same time, the appearance of various adverse reactions during therapy is possible. Such reactions include dry mouth, increased fatigue, and a short-term decrease in blood cell production. It is noteworthy that the patient is regularly run blood tests during the treatment, which allows the specialists to monitor his/her health.