New advanced prostate cancer therapy gives men better quality of life
A new type of therapy – supported by Movember – has similar survival rates compared to standard chemotherapy but provides men with a better quality of life.
Updated results of the TheraP trial presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium 2022 meeting in Chicago, US, have shown that, at three years after treatment, men who had PSMA therapy had higher response rates, fewer adverse effects and better quality of life than men who received chemotherapy.
This unique therapy involves ‘mapping’ the prostate cancer cells with a PET scan and then treating them with the Lutetium-177 radioactive substance.
Unlike conventional chemotherapy, PSMA – also known as ‘theranostics’ – destroys cancer cells, while minimising damage to healthy surrounding tissue.
" At three years after treatment, men who had PSMA therapy had higher response rates, fewer adverse effects and better quality of life than men who received chemotherapy. "
Study chair Professor Michael Hofman of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, who tested the therapy in the trial of 200 men, said: “Three-year follow up of the TheraP study provides compelling evidence that Lutetium-177 PSMA 617 is a new treatment option for people with prostate cancer, providing an alternative to cabazitaxel chemotherapy with better patient-reported outcomes and lower side effects.”
He added: “I am so grateful to Movember for spearheading research in molecular imaging and theranostics in Australia. This work is having global impact for men with advanced prostate cancer.”
Dr Sarah Hsiao, Director of Biomedical Research at Movember, said: “PSMA therapy represents another chance for men with advanced prostate cancer who have limited options. The generosity from the Movember community has enabled us to support this important study, leading to an effective new treatment that also offers quality of life.”
The results are the culmination of years of work by a large team of clinicians, researchers, and fundraisers, including Movember’s global community.
TheraP (ANZUP 1603) is a partnership between ANZUP Cancer Trials Group and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) with support from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), the Australasian Radiopharmaceutical Trials Network (ARTnet), Endocyte Inc, a Novartis company, It’s a Bloke Thing, Movember and CAN4CANCER and The University of Sydney NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre providing central study coordination.