Targeted α-particle therapy: radium 223 dichloride
(223RaCl2) followed by actinium 225
(225Ac) prostate-specific membrane antigent
(PSMA)–617. Images in a 66-year-old man with widely metastatic
prostate cancer, with a Gleason score of 8 (4 + 4), that progressed
following androgen deprivation, chemotherapy, and pelvic radiation.
(A) Baseline gallium 68 (68Ga) PSMA-11
PET/CT image demonstrates intense PSMA uptake in numerous metastatic
lesions (blue arrows indicate examples in the right scapula and both
femurs). (B)
68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT image following three cycles of
223RaCl2 (a targeted α-particle therapy
that incorporates within osteoblastic lesions but does not directly bind
to cancer cells) shows progression of many osseous metastases (blue
arrows), and the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value increased.
(C) Lutetium 177 (177Lu) PSMA-617 and
225Ac-PSMA-617 were both considered as treatment options.
Following multidisciplinary discussion and shared decision-making with
the patient, four cycles of 225Ac-PSMA-617 (a targeted
α-particle therapy with affinity for PSMA) were administered 6
weeks apart, demonstrating dramatic response in the metastatic lesions,
with near resolution of PSMA uptake at 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT
(blue arrows in the location of previous lesions) and a corresponding
dramatic reduction in PSA.