A Major Advance For Patients With Neuroendocrine Tumors
Remission is Now Possible
In the past, neuroendocrine tumors were treated with cancer-fighting drugs
that allowed patients to continue with their lives, but not without troublesome
side effects. Since tumors can produce excess hormones, common side effects
include dizziness, skin flushing, skin rashes and more. But with the introduction
of Lutathera®, a more targeted cancer drug, cancer cells are damaged
and tumors may be destroyed with minimal side effects.
Lutathera is a cutting-edge treatment that has shown such promise it was
granted priority review by the FDA, allowing it to take action on an application
more quickly than most new drugs. Since its introduction, the drug has
shown a 79% improvement in disease-free survival as compared to conventional
treatments and has been added to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Guidelines for the treatment of patients with neuroendocrine tumors.
Director of Radiation Therapy Len Hurst and physicians on staff at Catawba
Valley Medical Center took notice of Lutathera’s promise and were
the first in the area to begin administering it in 2019.
How Does it Work?
Neuroendocrine tumors develop from an abnormal growth of hormone-producing
endocrine and may be malignant or benign. The tumors commonly occur in
the intestine, pancreas or lungs and are typically very small and slow
growing. Lutathera uses small doses of radiation in a very targeted way
to fight the tumor cells without damaging the healthy parts of your body.
Benefits of the treatment include:
- Destruction of neuroendocrine tumors
- Minimal side effects
- Complete remission
Lutathera is administered slowly through an intravenous infusion. It contains
a radioactive isotope, Lu-177, which attaches to dotatate and binds to
cells with a somatostatin receptor on their surface. The drug enters tumor
cells and the radiation emitted helps to destroy the tumor.
About Lutathera Infusion
The goal of Lutathera is to completely destroy neuroendocrine cancer in
the body so patients can enjoy their lives. Since the procedure involves
radiation, ask your health care provider about necessary precautions to
limit others from radiation exposure, which can be harmful to children.
Stay well hydrated during and after each treatment and be sure to tell
your health care provider if you are taking other medications which could
affect the effectiveness of your treatment.
Additional Resources
Lutathera Patient Brochure
Lutathera - Referring Physicians
NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines