Men’s cancer drug expanded to benefit more patients with aggressive disease

Novartis, a pharmaceutical company based in Switzerland, has recently announced an expansion in the approval of Pluvicto, a targeted radioligand therapy (RLT) for patients with PSMA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). This expansion by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) triples the number of eligible patients who can receive this groundbreaking treatment.

Pluvicto, also known as lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan, is administered through an IV into the bloodstream and targets prostate cancer cells, either halting their replication or causing cell death. The drug has shown significant promise in clinical trials, with a 59% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death for mCRPC patients.

Lead study author Michael Morris, MD, from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, expressed optimism about the potential of Pluvicto in changing treatment paradigms for patients with mCRPC. He highlighted the targeted therapy’s ability to delay disease progression compared to traditional treatments, offering clear clinical advantages for patients who have not responded to previous therapies.

The FDA’s expanded approval of Pluvicto represents a transformative step forward in the treatment of mCRPC, according to Jorge A. Garcia, MD, a genitourinary medical oncologist. By enabling access to this targeted radioligand therapy before chemotherapy, the standard of care for PSMA-positive disease is being redefined, providing new hope for patients facing this aggressive form of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death among men, with mCRPC accounting for a majority of deaths and 20% of all metastatic prostate cancer cases. The introduction of Pluvicto offers a ray of hope for patients facing this challenging diagnosis, with plans to investigate the use of RLTs for other advanced cancers on the horizon.

As Novartis continues to deliver Pluvicto to treatment sites across the U.S., the future looks promising for patients with advanced prostate cancer. With ongoing research and advancements in targeted therapies, the landscape of cancer treatment is evolving, offering new possibilities for patients and their families.