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DMU
DMU Specialist in organizing medical care for international patients.
DMU helps arrange medical care for international patients. How it works
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Top operator
In organizing treatment abroad
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No surcharges or hidden fees
We work directly with clinics and doctors
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Travel abroad
Organizing treatment even in a pandemic
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Safe payments
You pay your bill directly to the hospital
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Translation
Professional translators translate your documents and accompany you on your trip
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Support
24 hours per day, seven days a week, 365 days a year
Lutetium-177
What is the Lu-177-PSMA therapy?
The Lu-177-PSMA therapy is an effective radionuclide treatment for metastatic prostate cancer. It combines radiation and targeted therapy methods and destroys cancer cells by radioactive substances delivered via transport proteins.
The radioactive substance is the lutetium isotope Lu-177. It is delivered to the tumor by a transport protein that binds to the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) in the epithelial cells of the prostate gland that has an elevated content in prostate cancer patients and is not present in other tumors or healthy tissues. This is how transport proteins detect the tumor and deliver the Lu-177 isotope right to it. Once in the tumor, this isotope destroys cancer cells by beta radiation with almost no damage to healthy tissues.
Lutetium-177
When is the Lu-177-PSMA therapy recommended?
The main indication for lutetium-177-PSMA therapy is prostate cancer that has been spreading through the body and formed metastases. Sometimes it is prescribed when a tumor is inoperable, or surgical risks are too high. This radionuclide therapy may also be an option when other treatments (hormone therapy, chemotherapy or radiation therapy) have failed.
Lutetium-177
Getting ready for your lutetium therapy
Certain tests are needed before the lutetium-177 therapy to assess your general health and suitability of the proposed procedure. They include:
- Gallium-68 PET/CT, a prostate cancer imaging procedure that involves an injection of gallium-68 to detect PSMA. Gallium-68 binds to PSMA cells and makes them visible on scans.
- Tc-99m MAG3 scintigraphy, an imaging technique that uses the Tc-99m MAG3 isotope to assess kidney function.
- Blood tests to confirm sufficient bone marrow reserves, liver and kidney functions, and PSA levels.
The following diagnostic procedures are performed between therapy cycles:
- SPECT-CT, an advanced radionuclide method for studying the distribution of radioactive substances in the body using single decay-generated photons.
- Gallium-68 PET/CT.
- Tc-99m MAG3 scintigraphy.
- Blood tests.
Lutetium-177
Efficacy of Lu-177 for the treatment of prostate cancer
The Lu-177-PSMA therapy is the most effective and the safest way to treat prostate cancers that are the most common oncological disease in men. A 2019 report from the closing session of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) states that over the past 10 years the number of clinical studies of the effectiveness and safety of this technique had grown sixfold, from 17 in 2010 to more than 110 in 2019. Since then, this peptide-receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) has been incorporated into treatment protocols for advanced stages of prostate cancer used by many leading international clinics.
Prostate Source: Globocan 2020
International Agency for Research on CancerNumber of new cases in 2020, both sexes, all ages
Total: 19 292 789 cases
Number of deaths in 2020, both sexes, all ages
Total: 9 958 133 deaths
Lutetium-177
How is the Lu-177 therapy performed?
The entire procedure takes about 20 minutes. A radioactive lutetium isotope solution is injected intravenously through a catheter for 1 minute. Another drug that protects kidneys from radiation is injected at the same time. Then, 15-30 minutes later, a nuclear scan (scintigraphy/PECT-CT) is performed to monitor radiation distribution and its effect on your kidneys. This is followed by additional gamma scans 24, 48 and 72 hours later. During this time, the patient remains in a radiation-insulating room, and the radioactive agent is excreted through kidneys.
Blood counts are checked 2 weeks after the procedure to identify any side effects that may occur. After the second therapy, the physiological response is assessed through Ga-68 PSMA-PET-CT and MAG3 renal scintigraphy. If the results are satisfactory, the treatment continues. It may take up to 6 procedures at 8-week intervals to achieve the desired results.
2 cycle 177 Lu-PSMA * This illustration is presented as an example
Lutetium-177
Benefits of Lu-177 therapy
- Low risk of side effects: serious complications are very rare
- Tissue damage minimization: Lu-177 isotopes do no harm to healthy tissues
- High efficiency: even in patients with metastases a reduction of tumor foci size is clearly noticeable
- Fast and painless procedures: Lu-177 procedures last no more than 20 minutes, 7 to 9 times less than a chemotherapy session
Price Lu-177
Cost of treatment and diagnostic procedures
Only the best European clinics offer the lutetium-177 therapy, and the average cost is about $ 10,000 per cycle.
We represent only the top clinics with a proven Lu-177 track-record based on annual qualification reports. Their experience, reputation in the medical community, availability of quality certificates, and patient reviews are also taken into account.
- Procedures:Prices:
- 1 cycle of Lu-177-PSMA therapy from €7,000
- Comprehensive inpatient diagnostics (3 days) from €6,000
- Comprehensive outpatient diagnostics from €5,000
- 1 cycle of Lu-177-dotatate therapy from €8,300
- Online appointment from €250
- Ga-68 PSMA-PET-CT from 600 €
- MAG3 kidney scintigraphy from €100
- SPECT-CT diagnostics from €500
- Enhanced blood test from €85
Get treatment
How to get Lu-177 therapy
DMU is a team of professionals from a variety of health care specialties. We solve the most challenging problems for the most demanding clients. There are no subcontractors or intermediaries involved, so we can vouch for every stage of the process, from finding a clinic to making air ambulance arrangements.DMU managers will help you set up your lutetium treatment. All you need to provide is a little bit of paperwork.
Read more about us and how we work on our website www.dmu-medical.com.
- 01. We receive your request
Leave us a request: your personal manager will contact you within an hour to discuss the details
- 02. Document processing
Submit the necessary documents: to organize an appointment at the clinic, you will need your personal data and medical reports
- 03. Feedback
Wait for a response from the clinic with the appointment of a date: on average, the response takes about 48 hours
- 04. Treatment
Go for treatment: a specialist in the logistics department will accompany you at all stages of the trip
Clinics offering Lu-177 therapy
Helios Hospital Berlin-Buch
Its oncohematology and neural surgery practices are among the best in Europe, and in general the clinic covers 75 fields of medicine
Charité Hospital
One of the largest German clinics with a 300-year history and 12 certified cancer centers
Vivantes Clinic Spandau
This multidisciplinary clinic in Western Berlin specializes in cancer diagnostics and treatment
University Hospital Bonn
One of the leading German medical centers in the area of oncology, cardiac surgery, endoprostheses and fetal surgery
Anadolu Medical Center
A medical center known for its advanced cancer treatments that also offers early comprehensive diagnostic and IVF services
Medipol Mega University Hospital
A multi-practice clinic in Turkey that specializes in cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and stomatology
Hadassah Medical Center
The center's team of 850 doctors provide medical care for adult and child patients diagnosed with cancer, paralysis, cardiovascular diseases, genetic diseases and other conditions
Teknon Medical Center
The clinic's doctors specialize in cardiovascular surgery, cancer treatment, neurosurgery, immunotherapy, treatment of epilepsy and other diseases
Frequently asked questions
FAQ
Is lutetium therapy safe?
The Lu-177 therapy is safe compared to other nuclear cancer treatments. In some cases, it may cause gastrointestinal problems, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Serious side effects, that may include liver, kidneys, lacrimal and salivary glands or bone marrow problems, allergies, and major changes in blood panel results, are very rare.
Is the Lu-177-PSMA therapy suitable for stage 4 cancer patients?
Yes, the lutetium therapy has been designed for patients with advanced cancers, for whom other treatments fail, and produces very good results in stage 4 patients.
What makes lutetium-177 better than actinium-225?
The lutetium therapy offers several benefits. Firstly, Lu-177 has a shorter half-life (6.6 days for Lu-177 vs. 10 days for Ac-225) and may be combined with a variety of biologically active compounds. Secondly, Lu-177 is the best studied treatment method, with hundreds of research papers describing its results and possible side effects. Ac-225 is still being researched and has not even received FDA approval. All this makes Lu-177 therapy a safer option.
How quickly can you travel abroad for lutetium therapy?
If you have a visa and the necessary medical documents, we can make arrangements within 1 week. DMU managers are available to provide you with the list of documents needed.
Other diseases
What other diseases can be treated with the Lu-177 therapy?
Several types of lutetium isotopes are used in medicine. The Lu-177-PSMA therapy is prescribed for prostate cancers only, while the Lu-177-dotatate has a broader scope of application. These two therapies work in a very similar way; the only difference is that Lu-177-dotatate targets somatostatin receptors that are present in large numbers on the surface of neuroendocrine, gastrointestinal and pancreatic tumors. The lutetium dotatate therapy results are very promising.
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478
Doctors all directions of medicine
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