Pluvicto, a targeted therapy for progressive, PSMA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, has been approved for clinical use by the FDA. On April 26, UF Health Radiation Oncology became the first in the state of Florida to administer it to patients.*
Pluvicto is a next generation radioligand treatment that can significantly improve survival rates for those who have limited treatment options. Injected in 6 treatments at staggered intervals, the therapy allows radiation to be targeted to prostate cancer cells – with minimal effects on healthy cells – by binding to PSMA, the protein found on the surface of the cells. During the delivery of Pluvicto, imaging can identify PSMA-positive tumors through a PET scan.
Pluvicto’s FDA approval was based on the results of a recent clinical trial, during which participants treated with Pluvicto and the traditional standard of care had a 38% reduction in risk of death and disease progression as compared to traditional treatments alone.
The program will be overseen by Robert Zlotecki, MD, PhD, Professor, Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs, and Medical Director, and Assistant Professor Kathryn Hitchcock, M.D., Ph.D.
“By offering leading-edge cancer treatments as soon as they are available, UF Health – Shands continues to prove that it belongs among the most respected cancer centers in the country,” said Dr. Hitchcock. “We are so pleased to be able to provide the very best available cancer care to the people of Florida.”
*Due to an uptick in world-wide demand, the manufacturer of Pluvicto has announced a supply deficiency of the radiopharmaceutical. As a result, UF Health was required to halt scheduling new patients for treatment with Pluvicto. The supply shortage is expected to be resolved in late 2023.
