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.
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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. |
The theranostics care experience at Nebraska Cancer Specialists is the first of its kind in the Midwest.
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.
- 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.
- Adults with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) that test positive for somatostatin receptors.
- PRRT enables doctors to treat multiple GEP-NETs at the same time.
- Studies have shown that PRRT may help slow down tumor growth.
- PRRT is administered through an IV infusion.
- A course of treatment typically includes 4 administrations, given 8 weeks apart.
- Before and during each PRRT treatment, you will also be given amino acids to protect your kidneys from absorbing radiation, and medication to help with potential nausea and vomiting during treatment.
- Each treatment will take several hours and you should be prepared to spend most of the day at the treatment center. You may want to invite a family member or friend to keep you company, unless the treatment center has any specific restrictions.
- PRRT may be administered when surgery is not an option or when other treatments are not effectively slowing down tumor growth.
- Your doctor will determine if PRRT (LUTATHERA) is appropriate for you by using a gallium 68 dotatate PET/CT scan to confirm that your tumors have the necessary receptors.
- Before PRRT can be administered, it is necessary to test that you are eligible for treatment based on blood, kidney, and liver function.
LUTATHERA® (lutetium Lu 177 dotatate) is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with a type of cancer known as gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) that are positive for the hormone receptor somatostatin, including GEP-NETs in the foregut, midgut, and hindgut.
Xofigo® (radium Ra 223 dichloride) injection is used to treat prostate cancer that no longer responds to hormonal or surgical treatment that lowers testosterone. It is for men whose prostate cancer has spread to the bone with symptoms but not to other parts of the body.
I131 Radioactive iodine (RAI) is a therapy used in the treatment of some thyroid cancers, specifically papillary and follicular thyroid cancer.
ZEVALIN® (ibritumomab tiuxetan) injection for intravenous use is a prescription medication that has three parts: two infusions of rituximab and one injection of Yttrium-90 (Y-90) ZEVALIN. Rituximab is used to reduce the number of B-cells in your blood and Y-90 ZEVALIN is given to treat your non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL).
The ZEVALIN therapeutic regimen is used to treat patients with:
- Low-grade or follicular B-cell NHL that has relapsed during or after treatment with other anticancer drugs.
- Newly diagnosed follicular NHL following a response to initial anticancer therapy.
QUADRAMET® is an injectable radiopharmaceutical used to treat bone pain associated with certain kinds of cancer.
It is primarily used to treat the pain associated with osteoblastic and mixed bone metastases confirmed on a radionuclide bone scan and has demonstrated efficacy in patients with prostate, breast and other primary cancers.
Our dedicated theranostics team is here to streamline your care.
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. We strive to ensure you understand every stage of your treatment while making sure your care is efficient.
Sam Mehr MD |
Kate Spellerberg BSN, MSN, OCN |
 Scott Degenhardt NMAA, MISOperations Director |
 Megan Meays MAM, CCRCResearch Director |
 Chris Blum Pharm D, BCOPDirector of Pharmacy |
 Christina Gregg CNMTNuclear Medicine Technologist |
 Josh Rathe CNMTNuclear Medicine Technologist |
 Marlene Bridwell BSN, RNNuclear Medicine Nurse |
 Cindy Nelson BSN, RNNuclear Medicine Nurse |
Personalized care team dedicated to you • No delays in consultation or treatment • Convenient and private outpatient setting
Could PRRT Help You or One of Your Patients?
To learn more or inquire about Nebraska Cancer Specialists Theranostics Center, contact Kate Spellerberg, Program Director, at 402.334.4773 or email |
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