PSMA Radioligand Therapy

Lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan (Lu-PSMA; brand name, Pluvicto®) is a newer therapy for patients with PSMA-positive metastatic prostate cancer.

Lu-PSMA is given intravenously. It targets PSMA, a protein found on most prostate cancer cells. Once in your bloodstream, Lu-PSMA travels through your body and delivers radiation to cells with PSMA on their surface, destroying them.

To find out if Lu-PSMA might be right for you, your doctor will need to order a PSMA PET scan to confirm that your prostate cancer cells have PSMA.

As of July, 2026, Lu-PSMA is approved for specific states of metastatic prostate cancer.

• People with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who have already taken an androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI). This includes people who:
  • Have not yet had chemotherapy (such as docetaxel), and their doctor thinks it’s okay to wait, or
  • Have already had chemotherapy
• People with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). This means that your cancer has spread beyond the prostate and you have not started hormone therapy yet, or it’s still working. While on Lu-PSMA, you will also take an ARPI medicine and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).

Researchers are studying how to improve the effectiveness of Lu-PSMA, and how it may work in combination with other treatments such as immunotherapy. Other potentially more potent versions of PSMA radioligand therapies are also in development.

Because small amounts of PSMA are present on certain types of healthy tissues, there can be side effects. Dry mouth is most common. Rare, potentially serious side effects, include bone marrow problems and kidney problems, may also occur. Ask your doctor about radiation safety precautions you should take in the days following each infusion to minimize risk to you and your family.

Last Reviewed: 08/2026