Overview of selected completed prospective studies on PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy with [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Abstract

Theranostics in nuclear oncology combines diagnostic and therapeutic procedures using radiotracers to target tumor cells. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a key target in metastatic prostate cancer, and the radioligand [¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-PSMA-617, which binds to PSMA, has shown promising results in treating metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), leading to its approval by the European Medicines Agency in 2022.In this narrative review, the current evidence of [¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 in mCRPC was discussed in the context of selected studies and the joint EANM/SNMMI guidelines for Lutetium-177-labeled PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy.The use of [¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 for post-chemotherapy mCRPC is supported by substantial evidence from the phase II TheraP and the phase III VISION trials, demonstrating its safety and efficacy. The theranostic approach identifies patients likely to benefit from [¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-PSMA-617, which is effective only in tumors with sufficient PSMA expression, as detected by PSMA-ligand PET/CT, which is also used for response assessment.The success of [¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 in post-chemotherapy mCRPC patients has led to further ongoing studies evaluating its use earlier in the treatment sequence, prior to chemotherapy. To ensure beneficial treatment outcome, adequate patient selection and evaluation of imaging-based response through PSMA-ligand PET/CT is necessary. · Indications for [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 are based on the TheraP and VISION clinical trials.. · Adequate patient selection using PSMA-ligand PET/CT is essential for beneficial outcomes.. · Response evaluation is based on imaging, PSA levels, and the patient's clinical condition.. · Karimzadeh A, Lehnert W, Koehler D et al. Overview of selected completed prospective studies on PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy with [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Rofo 2025; DOI 10.1055/a-2514-4523.