I had a prostatectomy in January 2017 at age 66 when my PSA was 9.3 but in January 2018 the PSA rose to 18. I commenced eligard and my psa reduced to 1.3 in July 2019 before my PSA increased to 18. I commenced Xandi and my PSA at first reduced to 7.7 before rising to 40. I had a gallium 68 PSMA pet/ct scan that showed intense psma uptake.
I had my first Lu-177 infusion in Febuary 2021 after Enzalutamide (Xtandi) stopped working and PSA increased to 50. My first infusion reduced my PSA to 3.1. My second infusion on 8 April 2021 reduced my PSA to .65. Over the past six months we continued to monitor my PSA which rose to 1 in the first 4 months and to 5.2 after 8 months.
I have agreed with my Oncologist to commence Zytiga now and to monitor on a monthly basis to see if we can buy time. If PSA continues it upward projection than I will probably commence the fourth and fifth infusions of LU 177.
Knowing there is no cure I focus on buying time while living life to the fullest. In the last 12 months I have travelled to Norfolk Island off Austraia twice, driven from Brisbane Australia to Longreach Queensland Australia some 2350 kilometers and driven from Brisbane to Cooktown Queensland Australia some 4100 kilometers. I have attached a photo of a unit at Airlie Beach on the great Barrier Reef that we stayed at on our trip to Cooktown
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You are making me jealous. Lately I have been depressed seeing my husband physically failing and knowing that our traveling days may be ending. Great that you are enjoying it while you can.
We love visiting Oz despite the torrid heat, stingers and other pests, we've immensely enjoyed our camping trips around Queensland. We spent a week in the WhitSundays just as covid was breaking out in 2019 unbeknownst. We deeply miss our biannual visit this year.
Tall Allan mentioned zytiga combination with other heavy hitting Tblockers (perhaps darolutamid) as a potent next gen answer to creeping METs. Just an idea as we’re all so uniquely besieged by our PC.
Enjoy the wonders of your mysterious island continent…I very much enjoyed our mucking about in the Daintree if you’re coming back that way…talk about tropical.
My very best to your next treatment option. With the attitude that you have, I am sure you will overcome whatever is coming your way. Loved the view that you have shared. We must live our life to the fullest. God bless
What trial are you referring to? Could you tell me where it is being conducted, what it is called, and what is the isotope you are referring to. Most important, how is your husband doing?Shipoo
I was not on a trial. The isotope is Lu-177 which emits β-rays that have a short range in soft tissue (average 0.23 mm, max. 1.7 mm) and γ-rays. The Lu177 had no side effects for me but it is not a cure but does kill cancer exhibiting PSMA. I had two infusions 8 weeks apart and my PSA reduced from 50 to .56. It had since risen to 5 and my oncologist is trying Zytiga. If it does not hold the PSA down I will have another 2 infusions of LU 177.
It sounds like you had a great first response to the Lu-177 but then you stopped the series for some reason. The VISION trial in the US used six treatments, and I did five in Germany until my PSA became undetectable so there wasn't much point in doing more. I wonder if you should get another PSMA scan and see if your cancer is still PSMA avid and whether more of the same treatments would help?
I got almost 2 years from my first 4 x Lu177’s at UCLA. Now I’m doing it again in Munich. 2 down and probably 2 to go.Hopefully FDA approves Lu177 soon.
Lu-177 is really a good drug to fight the cancer. So far it is the only drug that has made a big difference to my PSA level. I intend to try some other drugs and move back to LU-177 when they fail.
I had no side effects. The infusion took all day and I could not leave the hospital until my Lu-177 reading reached a safe level. I was then required to keep away from children and pregnant women for 5 days.
I have just had my first infusion Jan. 13. At Dana Farber with the trial study. The infusion for me took 30 minutes. I was all set to leave an hour latter. It's only been ten days but no ill effects. They shall take a blood draw each week. The results have not been posted for me. Time shall tell. A total of 6 infusions are planned, 6 weeks apart.
I have attached a copy of PSA chart. I only got short reprieve with Xandi and Lu-177 works the best. But I don't want to use all my Lu - 177 option until I try some other drugs. Also seeing if I can buy time using different drugs.
As you would be aware LU-177 only kills the cancer exhibiting PSMA so it will never kill all cancers as many of the small cancer will not exhibit PSMA. After two infusions my PSA was .65 and has only risen to 5 after six months. My thought is to try other drugs such as Zytiga to see if I can reduce the PSA or keep the PSA low. I can understand multiple treatments if the PSA remains high but I don't understand the rationale for multiple treatments if the PSA has a significant reduction. There is not a lot of research on how many infusions the body can tolerate. My strategy is to hold back on LU-177 until other drugs fail then try anther 2 infusions.
My feeling is that the reduction to 0.65 proved that it was working, but there was still work to be done. My MO's approach is to stick with a therapy that is working until it ceases to work, and then move on when there is a combination of changes in PSA/scans/symptoms.
Lu177 kills cells within a couple of mm - so close by non PSMA cancer cells also.
I’m having Lu177 in Munich. They started out thinking 4 treatments max. That’s been increased overtime and now they tell me I can have it as long as there is PSMA cancer and I get good uptake on their scan.
My oncologist has a research background and is advising me caution because of the lack of research on Lu-177. But I am interested in getting the maximum outcome from the Lu-177 treatment over time while seeing how other drugs can help.
I am hoping that something new comes along that is as good as LU-177 but a more permanent outcome. At this stage I am trying to buy time using both Lu-177 and other drugs. Only time will tell me if this is a good approach.
You are fortunate to having your view--and your view of expectations. Also fortunate to have access to advanced therapies like lutetium. We are not yet so blessed here in the USA. Happy trails.
Im curious to know how things are going, you haven’t posted since this. I’m in a similar situation regarding the previous treatments ie I’m on Zoladex ADT and failed Enzalutamide about 4 yrs ago and having been zapping my bone Mets since. My onc has now made an appointment for me to see Prof McFarlane Re Lu 177. I’m on the Gold Coast, he visits Genesis here.
How many infusions have you done now, how long apart, how did Zytiga go, did you do Daralutamide. PSA still dropping??
Hi AusiSorry for the delay in responding, it seems like I didn't repond through the wrong email. As previously mentioned I had two infusions of Lu-177 which was very successfully. My Oncologist is always looking for better treatments so we moved to Zytiga which was holding my PSA. We have been talking about a study of my genes to see if anything shows up. About 8 weeks ago i had radiation for 2 tumours on the spine. In the two weeks my PSA started to rise and we concluded that Zytiga had stopped working. At a meeting with my Oncologist, Radiation Oncologist and Nuclear Oncologist it was agreed that I should undertake another 2 infusions on LU-177as I have a lot of PSMA. I am currently arranging the infusions through i-Med at the Wesley.
Thanks for your reply, good luck with 3 and 4 Luts. It’s a pity you didn’t get longer from Zytiga. I’ve started the process but am waiting which is very frustrating. Genesis have put me up for a trial, it’s a new version on Lutetium 177, it’s the ProstACT SELECT trial looking at the use of lutetium J591. It’s only 2 infusions 3 weeks apart, expected greater efficacy. Its being run out of the PA in Bris.
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