Nebraska’s Dedicated Theranostics Center

Theranostics = Therapy + Diagnostics

Theranostics is a new field of medicine which combines specific targeted therapy based upon a specific targeted diagnostic test. With a key focus on patient centered care, theranostics provides a transition from conventional medicine to contemporary personalized and precision medicine.

The diagnostic component of theranostics determines and defines the type and extent of disease. This information allows decisions to be made on timing, quantity, type of drugs, and choice of treatment options, as well as helping to evaluate a patient’s response to treatment.

The development of the companion therapeutic component focuses on individualizing treatment by targeting therapy to the individual’s specific disease. Because the therapeutic agent is specifically targeted to sites of disease (with significantly reduced drug exposure to normal tissue), higher doses of the therapeutic agent may be safely administered.

NCS Difference

In addition to the benefits of targeted therapy over conventional chemotherapy, your care at Nebraska Cancer Specialists will truly be individualized to you and our dedicated theranostics care team will be your strongest advocate.

What sets Nebraska Cancer Specialists’ Theranostics Center apart?

  • Personalized care team dedicated to you
  • No delays in consultation or treatment
  • Theranostics care team is part of your medical oncology care team
  • Convenient and private outpatient setting

How Theranostics Works

Theranostics uses Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT) which is targeted radiation to kill cancer cells from within.

The diagnostic component determines and defines the type and extent of the disease which allows decisions to be made on the timing, quantity, type of drugs, and choice of treatment options. The therapy component focuses on individualizing treatment by targeting therapy to an individual’s specific disease and administering the therapeutic agent to targeted sites of the disease which allows for higher doses administered safely to the site without significant exposure to normal tissue.

Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT)

What is PRRT?
  • A treatment that uses targeted radiation to kill cancer cells from within. It is a form of nuclear medicine.
  • PRRT is comprised of a targeting molecule that binds to specific receptors (somatosta- tin) on the tumor cell surface and a radioactive particle that can kill the tumor cell.
  • LUTATHERA® (lutetium Lu 177 dotatate) is the first FDA-approved PRRT.
Who may benefit from PRRT?
  • PRRT is comprised of a targeting molecule that binds to specific receptors (somatosta- tin) on the tumor cell surface and a radioactive particle that can kill the tumor cell.
  • LUTATHERA® (lutetium Lu 177 dotatate) is the first FDA-approved PRRT.
  • A treatment that uses targeted radiation to kill cancer cells from within. It is a form of nuclear medicine.
Why whould by doctor prescribe PRRT?
  • LUTATHERA® (lutetium Lu 177 dotatate) is the first FDA-approved PRRT.
  • A treatment that uses targeted radiation to kill cancer cells from within. It is a form of nuclear medicine.
  • PRRT is comprised of a targeting molecule that binds to specific receptors (somatosta- tin) on the tumor cell surface and a radioactive particle that can kill the tumor cell.
How is PRRT administered?
  • A treatment that uses targeted radiation to kill cancer cells from within. It is a form of nuclear medicine.
  • PRRT is comprised of a targeting molecule that binds to specific receptors (somatosta- tin) on the tumor cell surface and a radioactive particle that can kill the tumor cell.
When is PRRT administered?
  • PRRT is comprised of a targeting molecule that binds to specific receptors (somatosta- tin) on the tumor cell surface and a radioactive particle that can kill the tumor cell.

Educational Resources

Meet Our Theranostics Team

Our dedicated theranostics team is here to make your care as streamlined and smooth as possible. We strive to ensure you understand every stage of your treatment while making sure your care is efficient.

Nuclear Medicine Physicians

dr samuel mehr

Samuel Mehr
MD

Hadi Zahra
MD, DABR

Amir Zahra
DO, DABR

Aaron Braun
MD
dr joel michalski, oncologist

Joel Michalski
MD, PHD

dr ralph hauke, oncologist

Ralph Hauke
MD, FACP

dr nagendra natarajan, oncologist

Nagendra Natarajan
MD, MPH

dr stefano tarantolo, oncologistStefano Tarantolo
MD, FACP

Scott Degenhardt
Director of Theranostics

Ashley Servais
Director of Research

Marlene Bridwell
Theranostics Nurse Case Manager

Jacklyn Birkel

Jennifer Clarke

Jena Depue

Josh Rathe

Christina Gregg

Doug Synek
Director of Pharmacy

Not Pictured: Subhash Paknikar, MD and Michael Petrocchi.

Contact Us Now to Learn More

To learn more or inquire about Nebraska Cancer Specialists Dedicated Theranostics Center, give us a call at 402.334.4773 or fill out the form below.

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