Lu-177–PSMA Therapy Arrives in Taiwan: A New Lifeline for Men With Advanced Prostate Cancer
By Yu-Yi Huang, MD, Department of Nuclear Medicine
A radioligand therapy that extends life for men with metastatic prostate cancer is now formally available in Taiwan. Lu-177–PSMA-617—marketed by Novartis as Pluvicto—no longer requires special-import paperwork; the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration approved it on April 12, 2025, and the launch symposium was held in Taipei the same day. Faster access means patients can begin treatment during the most critical window.
From Imaging to Therapy: Why PSMA Matters
Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT is already the gold standard for detecting recurrence and high-risk disease. The very molecule that lights up scans can also ferry radioactive lutetium-177 straight to cancer cells, delivering lethal doses while sparing most healthy tissue.
Proven Survival Benefit
Approval rests on the global VISION Phase III trial (published September 2021). Men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who had failed next-generation hormonal therapy (e.g., abiraterone, enzalutamide) and taxane chemotherapy received Lu-177–PSMA-617. Nearly 50 percent saw their PSA drop by at least half, skeletal complications fell, time to progression lengthened, and overall survival improved—all with mostly mild side effects.
Moving Earlier in the Disease Course
Data released in September 2024 from the PSMAfore Phase III study show even better results when Lu-177–PSMA-617 is used before taxane chemotherapy. Compared with simply switching to another hormonal agent, the radioligand produced deeper PSA declines, higher response rates, and better quality of life. The U.S. FDA has already added this indication; Taiwanese patients are expected to gain the same option soon.
Research is also exploring Lu-177–PSMA in still earlier settings and in combinations with novel hormones, PARP inhibitors, or standard chemotherapy. Additional PSMA-targeted radionuclides are under active study. Patients interested in these next-generation trials can ask about enrolling at Taiwanese centers.
Treatment Now at KFSYSCC
Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center is equipped to deliver Lu-177–PSMA therapy immediately. With state-of-the-art nuclear-medicine facilities and an experienced multidisciplinary team, the center offers a safe, streamlined program that matches international standards and eliminates past delays.
Lu-177–PSMA is more than another drug; it is a targeted radiation missile that has already given thousands of men longer life and maintained quality of life. With formal approval in Taiwan, that promise is now within reach for every eligible patient.