Lutetium-177 PSMA Therapy for Prostate Cancer in Turkey

What is Lutetium-177 PSMA Therapy?

Lutesium-177 PSMA therapy is used in the treatment of prostate cancer, which has spread throughout the body and has become resistant to other treatments. In this difficult stage of prostate cancer, Lutesium-177 PSMA treatment aims to reduce the size and progression of the cancer, alleviate symptoms, and maintain or improve the quality of life.

Lutetium-177 PSMA therapy is a form of precision radiation treatment for men with advanced prostate cancer. It represents a new approach called theranostics, a combination of therapy and diagnostics, that uses a radioactive medicine designed to seek out and destroy prostate cancer cells while sparing most healthy tissue.

The treatment is made up of two parts: a targeting molecule that recognizes a protein called Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA), and a radioactive atom called Lutetium-177. PSMA is a protein found in large amounts on the surface of prostate cancer cells but is present in very low levels on most normal cells. This difference allows the therapy to be highly selective. Once injected into the bloodstream, the medicine travels through the body, locks onto the PSMA receptors on prostate cancer cells, and delivers a concentrated dose of radiation directly inside those cells.

A Note About Names: You may encounter various technical names for this therapy, including Lutetium-177 PSMA, 177Lu-PSMA, or 177Lu-PSMA-617. These all refer to the same type of treatment.

Lutetium (Lu) is a chemical element, atomic number 71. It is the last element in the lanthanide series and is classified as a rare-earth metal

How Does Lutetium-177 PSMA Therapy Work?

The key to this therapy’s precision lies in a biological lock-and-key relationship. Prostate cancer cells carry a protein called PSMA on their outer surface; think of it as a specific lock. The treatment molecule is designed to fit that lock exactly. When the radioactive medicine is infused, it circulates through the body and attaches to cancer cells wherever they are located, in the bones, lymph nodes, or other organs.

Once bound to the cancer cell, the Lutetium-177 emits a type of radiation known as beta particles. These particles travel only a very short distance, roughly the width of a few cells, so the radiation damage is largely confined to the cancer cell and its immediate neighbors. Inside the cancer cell, the radiation damages the cell’s DNA, triggering the cell to die.

Image shows how Lutetium-177 binds to PSMA found on prostate cancer cells and destroys it without causing harm to the healthy cells.

Lutetium-177 has a physical half-life of approximately 6.7 days, meaning that every 6.7 days the amount of radioactivity in your body decreases by half. After several weeks, the radioactive signal becomes so low that it is effectively undetectable.

Is Lutetium-177 PSMA Therapy Effective?

This image shows PSMA PET-CT scans of a patient who received Lutetium therapy in Turkey. The scans demonstrate a reduction in cancer-positive lesions with each cycle of treatment. Please note that this image has been slightly modified using AI to help protect patient privacy. These modifications do not alter the medical findings or treatment results shown in the scans.

This image provides a visual timeline of a patient’s whole-body PSMA PET-CT scans across several treatment stages. Each individual black dot, visible throughout the body and skeleton, represents a site of active cancer cells. While the initial pre-treatment scan shows a high number of cancer cells, a substantial reduction is observed as the therapy progresses. After just two cycles, the density of the black dots decreases, and by the final scan after the fourth cycle, the presence of visible cancer cell areas has reduced to a minimal level.

You can read more about PSMA PET SCAN here

Who Is the right candidate for Lutetium-177 PSMA Therapy?

This therapy is designed for patients whose prostate cancer has progressed despite standard treatments. Specifically, you may be a candidate if you meet the following criteria, as established by the FDA:

• Prostate cancer has spread beyond the prostate (metastatic disease).

  
  

• Cancer is classified as castration-resistant, meaning it continues to grow even when testosterone levels are reduced to very low levels through hormone therapy.

  
  

• The patient has already been treated with at least one androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (a type of hormone therapy) and at least one taxane-based chemotherapy.

  
  

• A special imaging scan, the PSMA PET scan, shows that your tumors have high levels of PSMA, meaning the radioactive medicine will successfully bind to them.

  
  

Important: Not everyone with advanced prostate cancer will qualify. The PSMA PET scan is the essential test that determines eligibility. If your cancer cells do not show sufficient PSMA uptake on this scan, the therapy is unlikely to be effective for you.

What Are the Benefits of Lutetium-177 PSMA Therapy?

For patients who have exhausted other treatment options, this therapy offers meaningful benefits that have been demonstrated in large clinical trials:

• Extended survival: In the pivotal VISION trial, patients who received Lutetium-177 PSMA therapy plus standard care lived a median of 15.3 months, compared to 11.3 months for those receiving standard care alone. This represents a 38% reduction in the risk of death.

• Delayed disease progression: The therapy significantly prolonged the time before the cancer worsened (radiographic progression-free survival).

• Improved quality of life: Multiple studies have documented improvements in quality of life following treatment. Patients often experience better pain control, improved physical functioning, and an overall sense of well-being.

• Reduction in PSA levels: A substantial number of patients achieve a meaningful decline in prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a blood marker that indicates prostate cancer activity. One large meta-analysis found that patients treated with Lutetium-177 PSMA were over four times more likely to achieve a PSA decline of 50% or more compared to controls.

  
  

What Are the Possible Side Effects of Lutetium-177 PSMA Therapy?

Like all cancer treatments, Lutetium-177 PSMA therapy can cause side effects. The most common ones observed in clinical trials include:

• Fatigue

• Dry Mouth

• Nausea

• Anemia (low red blood cells)

• Decreased appetite

• Constipation

  
  
  
  

Why does dry mouth occur?

A small amount of PSMA protein is naturally present in the salivary glands that produce saliva. Because the radioactive medicine can bind to these glands, some patients experience reduced saliva production, leading to a persistent dry mouth.

Blood count changes: The therapy can temporarily affect the bone marrow’s ability to produce blood cells. This may result in lower levels of red blood cells (anemia), white blood cells (increasing infection risk), and platelets (affecting clotting). These changes are monitored closely through regular blood tests and are usually manageable. In most cases, they are not symptomatic.

Most side effects are temporary and manageable with supportive care. Your medical team will monitor you closely throughout the treatment cycle and can provide medications and strategies to help you cope with any symptoms that arise.

What to Expect During Lutetium-177 PSMA Therapy Treatment?

Treatment is administered in a specialized nuclear medicine or oncology unit. Here is a typical sequence:

• Preparation: Before each treatment session, you will have blood tests to check your blood counts, kidney function, and overall health. You will be asked to stay well hydrated. In Turkish medical facilities offering Lutetium-177 PSMA therapy for prostate cancer, the infusion is administered in a dedicated, lead-lined room under strict radiation safety protocols.

  
  

• The Infusion: The radioactive medicine is given through an intravenous line, usually over about 30 minutes. The infusion itself is generally painless.

  
  

• Post-Treatment Monitoring: After the infusion, you will be monitored for a short period to ensure you are feeling well.

  
  

• Radiation Safety Precautions: Because your body will emit a small amount of radiation for a few days following the infusion, you will receive specific instructions to protect those around you. These may include limiting close contact with pregnant women and young children, using a separate bathroom when possible, and sleeping in a separate bed for a few days. These precautions are temporary and will be fully explained by your care team before you leave.

  
  

• Repeat Cycles: The treatment is repeated every six weeks, for up to a total of six cycles, as long as it continues to be effective and side effects remain manageable.

  
  
  
  

Summary of Key Points

• Lutetium-177 PSMA therapy is a targeted radiation treatment that delivers radioactivity directly to prostate cancer cells.

  
  

• It is approved for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer that has progressed after hormone therapy and chemotherapy.

  
  

• The treatment works because prostate cancer cells carry high levels of PSMA, a protein that the radioactive drug binds to.

  
  

• Clinical trials have shown that the therapy extends life, delays disease progression, and improves quality of life.

  
  

• Side effects are generally manageable, with fatigue, dry mouth, and temporary blood count changes being the most common.

  
  

• Eligibility must first be confirmed through a PSMA PET scan, which is discussed in the companion article below.

  
  

• Lutetium-177 PSMA therapy for prostate cancer in Turkey makes this life-extending treatment accessible, delivered by experienced teams in facilities that prioritize both clinical efficacy and patient comfort.

  
  

This article is intended for patient education purposes. Always discuss your individual situation, treatment options, and any questions you have with your own medical team.

References

1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. March 23, 2022. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-information-approved-drugs/fda-approves-lutetium-lu-177-vipivotide-tetraxetan-metastatic-castration-resistant-prostate-cancer

   
   

2. University of Chicago Medicine. Lutetium-177 PSMA therapy for prostate cancer: What you need to know. Accessed 2026. https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/cancer/types-treatments/prostate-cancer/treatments/lutetium-177-psma-therapy

   
   

3. Sartor O, de Bono J, Chi KN, et al. Lutetium-177–PSMA-617 for Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. New England Journal of Medicine. 2021;385:1091-1103. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2107322

   
   

4. Sadaghiani MS, Sheikhbahaei S, Werner RA, et al. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Effectiveness and Toxicities of Lutetium-177–labeled PSMA-targeted Radioligand Therapy in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. European Urology. 2021;80(1):82-94. https://www.europeanurology.com/article/S0302-2838(21)00174-3/fulltext

   
   

5. National Cancer Institute. Lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan. NCI Drug Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-drug/def/lutetium-lu-177-vipivotide-tetraxetan

This article series is designed to provide a complete and easy-to-understand guide to Lutetium-177 therapy for prostate cancer. We will explain how the treatment works, who may be eligible, what results and benefits patients can expect, and the important role of PSMA PET scans in determining suitability for therapy.

Throughout the series, we will also cover what to expect before, during, and after treatment, along with practical topics such as the procedure itself and the cost of receiving Lutetium-177 therapy in Turkey.

Our goal is to help patients and families better understand every aspect of this advanced targeted cancer treatment. You can also explore the other articles in this series, including our guide on PSMA PET Scan for Prostate Cancer, to learn more about the imaging process used to evaluate eligibility for Lutetium-177 therapy.

Proficure is a patient navigation service based in Turkey, helping international patients arrange PSMA PET scans, Lutetium-177 therapy, and comprehensive prostate cancer care in JCI-accredited hospitals. Contact us at proficure@gmail.com to learn more about planning your PSMA PET Scan in Turkey.