The Tyr Phenomenon: A Hypocalcemic Response in High-Volume Treatment Responders to 177Lu-Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen Therapy.

Abstract

¹⁷⁷Lu-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is an effective treatment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Rarer treatment-related adverse events have not yet been described. Methods: We present case reviews of 2 men with a marked hypocalcemic osteosclerotic response to ¹⁷⁷Lu-PSMA-I&T therapy. A clinical dataset of ¹⁷⁷Lu-PSMA-I&T therapy was evaluated to estimate the incidence and clinical association with hypocalcemia. Results: Forty-one of the 127 men (32%) had a serum calcium drop, and 6 (5%) developed clinical hypocalcemia during ¹⁷⁷Lu-PSMA therapy. The baseline total tumor volume was significantly higher in those who developed hypocalcemia (median, 3,249 cm³ [interquartile range, 1,856-3,852] vs. 465 [interquartile range 135-1,172]; P = 0.002). The mean prostate-specific antigen response in those with hypocalcemia was 78% (SD, 24%). Conclusion: Hypocalcemia may occur in response to ¹⁷⁷Lu-PSMA-I&T, particularly with both high-volume bone metastases and a significant prostate-specific antigen response, and may be severe, requiring corticosteroids. Further evaluation of ¹⁷⁷Lu-PSMA-induced hypocalcemia is required to better understand mechanisms, optimal treatments, and repercussions from any subsequent osteosclerotic response.