Prostate Theranostics

Prostate specific membrane antigen is a trans-membrane receptor expressed by up to 95% of prostate cancers. The breakthrough in its use as a theranostic agent for prostate cancer came with the development of small peptides that bind tightly to the receptor, allowing accurate targeting. This was published in a mouse in 2013 (Heidelberg,Germany).  Ga68PSMA-11 PET CT was introduced for prostate cancer imaging  in trial form at St Vincent's Hospital Sydney in 2014 and Lu PSMA as a therapy agent in 2016. Since then the department has undertaken multiple prospective prostate cancer imaging and therapy trials in prostate cancer. Many of these trials have formed evidence for the MSAC application to obtain federal reimbursement for Ga PSMA PET CT for men with prostate cancer. Ongoing trials will build evidence for the funding of PSMA targeted radio-nuclide therapy.

The theranostics department offers both FDG and PSMA PET imaging for prostate cancer clinically. It is involved in ongoing trials evaluating new PET agents for prostate cancer, including for men with PSMA negative prostate cancer subtypes

The department also offers clinical Lu PSMA therapy at cost for those men who do not have suitable trials available and for whom other treatment options are limited.