Radiopharmaceuticals for Cancer Treatment
Advancements in cancer treatment options have given patients access to precision therapies designed to better target cancer while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. A new and innovative option is radiopharmaceutical therapy, a treatment that combines targeted medicine with radiation to attack and eliminate cancer at the cellular level.
At Compass Oncology, our specialists offer advanced radiopharmaceutical treatments as part of a comprehensive and individualized cancer care plan. Our team carefully evaluates each patient’s situation to determine whether radiopharmaceuticals would be beneficial for diagnosis or as part of their treatment plan.
What is Radiopharmaceutical Therapy?
Radiopharmaceuticals are specialized medications that contain a small amount of radioactive material called isotopes. Unlike standard radiation therapy, which uses machines or seeds to target the affected area, radiopharmaceuticals are administered in the form of pills, injections, or infusions.
Radiopharmaceuticals may be used for either diagnosis or treatment, depending on your individual needs.
Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals
Some radiopharmaceuticals may be administered before imaging studies, such as PET scans. These drugs circulate through the bloodstream and attach to specific cancer cells, making them easier to detect. This helps oncologists accurately determine the location and extent of the cancer.
Examples of diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals include:
- Pylarify®
- Illuccix®
- Gallium Dotatate
- Copper Dotatate
Therapeutic Radiopharmaceuticals
Therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals deliver radiation directly to cancer cells after attaching to specific targets on the tumor. These therapies can kill cancer cells or slow their growth by binding to specific receptors on their surfaces. Once attached, the medication releases radiation that eliminates cancer cells while minimizing damage to nearby healthy tissues.
Examples of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals include:
- Pluvicto®
- Xofigo®
- Lutathera®
How Radiopharmaceuticals Work to Treat Cancer
Radiopharmaceuticals offer a targeted approach to treating cancer by precisely locating cancer cells and delivering radiation therapy directly to them. These drugs use molecules like monoclonal antibodies, which guide radioactive isotopes to bind to specific targets on cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. Once attached, radiation is delivered directly to the tumor, effectively destroying cancer cells.
Radiopharmaceuticals don’t require absorption by cancer cells to be effective. When the treatment binds to a cancer cell, it emits radiation that can also affect approximately 10-30 surrounding cancer cells. This broader attack on multiple cancer cells with a single radiopharmaceutical molecule makes it a highly advanced and promising treatment option.
While radiopharmaceuticals already show great promise for cancer treatment, they are also effective when used alongside other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. They may also complement traditional radiation therapy, providing a comprehensive strategy for fighting cancer.
What Cancers Can Radiopharmaceuticals Treat?
Radiopharmaceutical therapy is not used to treat every type of cancer. Currently, Compass Oncology offers radiopharmaceutical treatment for patients with:
- Advanced prostate cancer
- Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs)
Your oncologist will review your diagnosis and consider the extent of your cancer, what other treatments have already been used, and your overall health to determine whether this treatment should be part of your personalized care plan.
Benefits of Treating Cancer with Radiopharmaceuticals
For eligible patients, radiopharmaceutical therapy offers several potential advantages over traditional treatment approaches, including:
Highly targeted treatment
Because radiopharmaceuticals are designed to target specific cancer cells, they deliver radiation with greater precision, helping reduce damage to nearby healthy tissues.
Treats cancer throughout the body
Fewer treatment side effects
An additional treatment option for patients
May improve cancer control
What to Expect During Treatment
If your Compass Oncology care team recommends radiopharmaceutical therapy, they will develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific diagnosis and overall health.
Treatment is typically administered at one of our infusion centers. Depending on the medication, it may be given through an injection into a vein, artery, or a surgically implanted port. In some cases, certain radiopharmaceuticals can be taken orally in liquid form, depending on the type and its intended use.
Radiopharmaceutical infusion treatments usually take a short amount of time to complete. You may start noticing results after one injection or, at most, after five injections.
Possible Side Effects of Radiopharmaceuticals
Side effects of radiopharmaceutical therapy are often tolerated well. However, some patients may experience:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Rapid heartbeat
- Headache
- Difficulty breathing
- Fever
- Chills
- Skin issues, including rash, hives, itchiness, redness, or flushing
- Swollen hands, feet, or throat
- Drowsiness
Your care team will closely monitor you during your visit for any potential side effects. If you experience side effects, we’ll provide guidance and supportive care to help manage them.
The Most Advanced Cancer Treatments at Compass Oncology
Compass Oncology is here to guide and support you throughout every step of your cancer journey. We offer the most innovative cancer treatments, including radiopharmaceuticals, for patients throughout the Portland and Vancouver metro area.
As new therapies are approved, our oncologists aim to add them to our possible cancer treatment options for patients. Compass also actively participates in clinical research trials, which allow our patients access to emerging treatments before they become widely available.
Learn more about our clinical trials program.
Radiopharmaceuticals are available at Compass Oncology cancer centers located in Portland and Tigard, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington.
