The rise of theranostics: Part 2 -- Moving into communities

A decade ago, only a few radiopharmaceutical agents were used to help treat cancer patients. That has changed and the field of theranostics is expanding rapidly in various ways, as described in part 1 of AuntMinnie.com's series on the rise of theranostics. However, few freestanding theranostics centers exist today. Even if some private urology, radiation oncology practices, or radiologist groups are building the ability to perform theranostics, experts are cautious about patient management, radiation safety, and the risk of unnecessary imaging. They're also mindful of the multiple dedicated teams required to build a theranostics clinic properly. AuntMinnie.com asked leaders in the field to discuss what to know before branching into prostate cancer theranostics. Thomas Hope, MD, a radiologist and nuclear medicine physician at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), said that approval of lutetium-177 (Lu-177) prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) radioligand has driven a marked interest and excitement about theranostics and radioligand therapies (RLT). Hope, vice chair of clinical operations and strategy in the UCSF department of radiology, established the radioligand therapy group at the university. He also helped lead the theranostics conference at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) 2024 midwinter meeting. Theranostics is becoming a treatment option for a larger volume of cancer patients. Thomas Hope, MD, of UCSF, shares what's...
Source: AuntMinnie.com Headlines - Category: Radiology Authors: Tags: Practice Management Radiation Oncology/Therapy Nuclear Medicine Medicolegal Genitourinary Radiology Source Type: news