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UC San Diego Well being is the primary hospital system within the area to supply a novel remedy possibility for sufferers with prostate most cancers that has unfold all through the physique and has not responded to different therapeutics.
In 2004, upon Jim Duvall’s completion of service within the U.S. Military, school and a profitable enterprise profession, he was identified with prostate most cancers. Shortly thereafter, he underwent surgical procedure to deal with the illness. Nevertheless, three years later, it was found the most cancers had unfold to his bones. Duvall has gone by means of a number of remedies, together with chemotherapy and radiation.
After managing superior prostate most cancers for practically 20 years, Jim Duvall was the primary affected person within the area to obtain a novel remedy for superior prostate most cancers at UC San Diego Well being in September 2022.
“There isn’t any magic potion to treatment my most cancers and my physicians had been very clear about this, however I’ve two youngsters and 4 grandkids, and I need to hang around with them somewhat longer,” mentioned Duvall.
After managing prostate most cancers for practically 20 years, Duvall, age 80, transferred his care to UC San Diego Well being. He was the primary affected person within the area to obtain a brand new remedy for superior prostate most cancers.
“I used to be so grateful to be thought of for this remedy,” mentioned Duvall.
The FDA-approved drug, referred to as Pluvicto (lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan), is a brand new radiation pharmaceutical that’s administered by means of injection or infusion. The drug travels all through the physique and targets most cancers cells with the PSMA biomarker, a protein discovered on most prostate most cancers cells. Radiation is then launched to wreck and kill the most cancers cells.
The drug particularly targets progressive, PSMA optimistic, metastatic (most cancers that has unfold) castration-resistant prostate most cancers. Research present it will possibly lengthen the lives of individuals with this aggressive type of prostate most cancers, even within the late levels.
“This can be a groundbreaking medical development for our prostate most cancers sufferers, like Mr. Duvall. It’s a vital step ahead within the evolution of precision radioligand remedy for sufferers,” mentioned Rana McKay, MD, medical oncologist at UC San Diego Well being.
“Though the remedy panorama for superior prostate most cancers continues to evolve, there’s a excessive unmet want for added remedy choices for these sufferers. This remedy might assist sufferers reside longer, which is large.”
Prostate most cancers is the second main reason for most cancers dying for males in the US. Males with prostate most cancers have a number of choices for combating the illness, together with hormone remedy, chemotherapy, radiation and surgical procedure. Nevertheless, if these remedies don’t cease the development of the most cancers, there are few different choices.
“With out the information, dedication and compassion of Dr. McKay and my whole medical workforce, I’m undecided I’d be right here right this moment to share my story,” mentioned Duvall.
Remedies, akin to chemotherapy, can include many disagreeable unwanted effects.
In distinction, the brand new drug targets PSMA, which is basically expressed on tumor cells. This will imply fewer unwanted effects like nausea, vomiting and hair loss.
“As the one tutorial medical middle within the area, we’re all the time excited to supply revolutionary remedies to our sufferers, significantly those that have exhausted different choices,” mentioned Christopher Kane, MD, urologist and CEO, UC San Diego Well being Doctor Group.
“Superior prostate most cancers is difficult to deal with, however survival charges have improved in recent times. We anticipate that this remedy will make a significant distinction in our sufferers’ lives.”
Administering the remedy to UC San Diego Well being sufferers requires a multi-disciplinary method with groups in oncology, urology, radiation oncology, radiology, nuclear drugs, pharmacy, nursing and integrative drugs groups.
Duvall acquired his first dose of Pluvicto at UC San Diego Well being in early September. In whole, he’ll obtain six doses set aside each six weeks.
Administering the remedy to UC San Diego Well being sufferers requires a multi-disciplinary method with groups in oncology, urology, radiation oncology, radiology, nuclear drugs, pharmacy, nursing and integrative drugs groups.
“Our nuclear drugs workforce is honored to be on the forefront of delivering theragnostic care. We sit up for persevering with to carry rising revolutionary diagnostic and remedy instruments to finest serve our sufferers,” mentioned Okay. Elizabeth Hawk, MD, PHD, interim chief of nuclear drugs at UC San Diego Well being.
“The sufferers who’ve acquired this remedy have expressed pleasure and gratitude for this vital development. It has given them renewed hope,” mentioned Sindu Alexander MD, nuclear drugs doctor at UC San Diego Well being.
Duvall is doing effectively and staying energetic. He walks 4 to 5 days per week and resides a high quality life throughout his remedy.
“There are usually not sufficient accolades for everybody concerned on this new remedy. I really really feel like I’ll now be capable of spend many extra particular moments with my household,” mentioned Duvall.
Based on the 2022-2023 U.S. Information & World Report “Greatest Hospitals” survey, UC San Diego Well being is ranked twentieth for Most cancers, among the many nation’s prime 50 packages, out of greater than 4,500 hospitals nationwide. Moores Most cancers Middle at UC San Diego Well being is the one Nationwide Most cancers Institute-designated Complete Most cancers Middle in San Diego County, the very best potential score for a U.S. most cancers middle.
PET/SPECT and Nuclear Medication
Prostate Most cancers
Urological Care
Francesca Torriani, MD
Medical Director, An infection Prevention and Medical Epidemiology
619-471-9045
UC San Diego | Faculty of Medication
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