News and Events

University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine and The University of Tennessee Medical Center Pioneer Revolutionary Radionuclide Therapies in Cancer Treatment

In a groundbreaking stride toward advancing cancer treatment, the Molecular Imaging and Translational Research Program (MITRP) at the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine (UTGSM) and The University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC) are at the forefront of pioneering Radionuclide Therapies. Under the guidance of Dr. Dustin Osborne, PhD, DABSNM, Professor, and Director of the MITRP, Dr. Yitong Fu, MD, Nuclear Medicine Section Chief, and Brett Hines, RT(R), CNMT, Manager of Nuclear Medicine, these novel therapies represent a transformative approach in the fight against cancer.

Radionuclide therapies have emerged as an innovative strategy for treating various cancer types by delivering targeted radiation directly to disease sites, minimizing damage to healthy structures. UTGSM and UTMC are introducing two cutting-edge therapies to UTMC, Lutathera and Pluvicto, for the treatment of patients with neuroendocrine and prostate cancers, respectively. Both therapies, developed by Novartis, are approved by the FDA.

Pluvicto (Prostate Cancer Therapy) represents a revolutionary radionuclide therapy employing advanced targeting molecules to deliver radiation directly to diseased prostate tissue, offering a highly effective and minimally invasive approach to prostate cancer treatment. Lutathera (Neuroendocrine Tumor Therapy) is a cutting-edge radionuclide therapy that specifically delivers a precise radiation dose to neuroendocrine tumor sites, providing a promising avenue for patients facing this challenging diagnosis.

Not only are UTGSM and UTMC the only center in our region offering these cutting-edge therapies but they are also pioneers in incorporating novel radiation dosimetry services. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, we employ advanced data analysis to gain insights into how the injected radioactive material precisely targets the disease. This enables us to calculate doses to healthy tissues and areas of disease to facilitate personalized treatment planning and strategies tailored to each patient's unique needs.

"We are grateful to UT Medical Center and to the graduate school for enabling us to offer these cutting edge, personalized therapies," said Dr. Osborne. "Recent trial data has indicated 76% reduction in risk of disease progression as well as nearly 80% of patients seeing 30% reductions in tumor sizes. We believe our patients will benefit significantly from local access to these treatments and our personalized approach to their use."

The implementation of Pluvicto and Lutathera at UTGSM and UTMC represents a significant advancement in cancer care. Patients not only benefit from state-of-the-art therapies but also from the personalized approach that defines our commitment to providing the highest quality care. As we continue to lead the way in state-of-the-art cancer treatments, we look forward to seeing the dramatic impact of these revolutionary Radionuclide Therapies on our patient outcomes and recovery.

Posted: April 18, 2024