Radiopharmaceutical therapies (RPTs) are systemic treatments that target cancer cells with a radioactive drug. Other terms for RPT include radioligand therapy, molecular radiotherapy, or theranostics.

RPT can be used to treat cancers that have spread (metastasized) or recurred after other treatments. They are often paired with a type of imaging scan that shows whether the target is present on the tumors (such as PSMA PET). Several types of RPT are described below:

• Radio Embolization

  This cancer treatment uses tiny glass or resin beads called microspheres to deliver radiation to a tumor through the bloodstream. These particles are placed inside blood vessels, where they travel to the tumor and deliver a high dose of radiation.

  One type of radio embolization used at Johns Hopkins is TheraSphere(Y90 microspheres), a treatment for liver tumors. Doctors infuse millions of particles into the arteries that feed liver tumors. Then, the particles lodge themselves in the tumors, emitting radiation.


• Radium-223 for bone metastases

  This treatment uses intravenous injection of Radium-223 (Xofigo) that is similar to calcium and targets areas of bone turnover in bone metastases. It is FDA approved for symptomatic bone metastases from prostate cancer, and it is given once a month for up to 6 months. It is also under investigation in other settings.

• [177Lu] Lu-PSMA for mCRPC

  Lu-PSMA-617 (Pluvicto) is an intravenous infusion that targets a molecule on the surface of prostate cancer cells called prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). It is FDA approved for castrate resistant metastatic prostate cancer, and it is given once every 6 weeks for up to 9 months. It is also under investigation in other settings.

• Other investigational therapies and combination therapies

  There are many clinical trials investigating radiopharmaceutical therapies at Johns Hopkins University. These trials include treatment of multiple types of cancer and different cancer targets.

Scheduling:
GSS and JHH
    RadOnc Pluvicto  (410) 502-8000

Sibley Memorial Hospital (SMH)
    Department of Radiation Oncology  (202) 537-4788
    Main Switchboard  (202)537-4000

Providers for Pluvicto (177Lu-PSMA-617):
Ana Kiess
Curtiland Deville
Daniel Song

Providers for Xofigo (Radium-223):
Ana Kiess
Curtiland Deville
Daniel Song
Fariba Asrari

Providers for Theraspheres (90Y-microspheres):
Amol Narang

Locations for Pluvicto:
Greenspring Station
Sibley

Locations for Xofigo:
JHH
Greenspring Station
Sibley

Locations for Theraspheres:
JHH

Novartis locator:
https://www.us.pluvicto.com/treatment-center-locator/