[Column] PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy, a revolutionary approach to prostate cancer treatment

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, and its treatment is extremely challenging and complex, especially for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Recently, radioligand therapy (RLT), which targets PSMA (prostate-specific membrane antigen), has gained traction in the medical community as a new treatment approach for this type of prostate cancer.

PSMA is a protein that is overexpressed on the surface of prostate cancer cells, and the development of therapies that target it has paved the way for more precise attacks on prostate cancer cells. RLT works by binding a radioactive isotope to a ligand that binds to PSMA, directly destroying cancer cells.

Among them, Pluvicto (Lutetium-177 PSMA) has recently been applied to clinical treatment. Pluvicto binds a radioactive isotope, lutetium-177, to a ligand that can bind PSMA, targeting cancer cells and destroying them with radiation. This treatment has shown positive results in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who have not responded to conventional therapy, contributing to improved survival.

Pluvicto is an important example of RLT, and several similar RLTs are in development. 

For example, therapies using other radioisotopes, such as Actinium-225, are being investigated, and new treatment options utilizing different ligands are in clinical trials. These therapies are evolving to target cancer cells more precisely, increasing treatment effectiveness and reducing adverse reactions.

These PSMA-targeted RLTs represent an important advance in the treatment of prostate cancer and are expected to provide new treatment opportunities for more patients in the future. 

However, the nature of using radioisotopes requires careful management of side effects, and further research is needed to ensure that they are equally effective in all patients.

In conclusion, PSMA-targeted RLT is revolutionizing the treatment of prostate cancer, and therapies such as Pluvicto are identifying new treatment possibilities. 

I look forward to the continued development of these therapies, which will continue to be an important treatment option for prostate cancer patients.