Pluvicto Radioligand Therapy
Pluvicto® (Lutetium Lu 177 Vipivotide Tetraxetan)
Targeted radioligand therapy for PSMA-positive advanced prostate cancer
Overview
Pluvicto is a targeted radiopharmaceutical therapy that combines a molecule directed against prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) with the beta-particle–emitting radionuclide lutetium-177. After intravenous administration, the drug binds to PSMA-expressing prostate cancer cells and delivers radiation directly to sites of disease, including metastatic lesions throughout the body.
FDA Approval and Who May Benefit
Pluvicto was first FDA-approved in 2022 for selected adults with PSMA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). In March 2025, the FDA expanded the indication to include adults with PSMA-positive mCRPC who have been treated with an androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI) and are considered appropriate to delay taxane-based chemotherapy. Patient selection requires an approved PSMA PET imaging agent and multidisciplinary review.
Why This Therapy Is Useful
Radioligand therapy allows treatment to be directed to PSMA-expressing cancer throughout the body while limiting radiation exposure to many normal tissues. Clinical trials supporting FDA approval demonstrated meaningful disease-control benefits in appropriately selected patients. Pluvicto is integrated with ongoing prostate cancer care, including androgen-deprivation therapy and other supportive treatments as clinically indicated.
What to Expect / Typical Protocol
- Before treatment: Nuclear Medicine reviews the patient’s PSMA PET, prior therapies, disease distribution, renal function, blood counts, and other clinical factors to confirm eligibility and establish a treatment plan.
- Treatment: Pluvicto is administered intravenously. The standard FDA-labeled activity is 7.4 GBq (200 mCi) approximately every 6 weeks for up to 6 doses, with dose modification or discontinuation when clinically indicated.
- Monitoring: Laboratory testing is obtained before treatment cycles to assess blood counts and kidney function. Patients receive individualized hydration and radiation-safety instructions.
- Post-therapy imaging: When clinically appropriate and available, post-treatment imaging can document radiopharmaceutical distribution and may provide additional information about treatment targeting and urinary clearance.
- Follow-up: Response is assessed in coordination with the referring oncology team using symptoms, laboratory markers such as PSA, and follow-up imaging as appropriate.
Refer a Patient for Radioligand Therapy (Pluvicto®)
The Division of Nuclear Medicine at UTHealth Houston offers comprehensive evaluation and treatment with Pluvicto® (¹⁷⁷Lu-PSMA-617) for eligible patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
Our multidisciplinary team provides:
- Comprehensive eligibility assessment
- Imaging review and treatment planning
- Coordination of laboratory testing and scheduling
- Administration of radioligand therapy
- Post-treatment imaging and follow-up in collaboration with the referring oncologist
How to Refer:
Community oncologists and other healthcare providers may refer patients by:
- Faxing the referral and relevant clinical records to: 713-704-1360
- Emailing one of our Nuclear Medicine faculty members by selecting a physician profile above.
Please include, when available:
- Recent clinic note
- Pathology reports
- Relevant imaging reports (including PSMA PET/CT, if performed)
- Recent laboratory results (CBC, CMP, renal and liver function tests)
- Current medication list and prior cancer treatments
Our team will promptly review the referral, contact the patient if appropriate, and coordinate consultation and treatment while maintaining close communication with the referring physician throughout the patient’s care.