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. |
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.
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:
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.
AZEDRA® is a radiopharmaceutical used to treat adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older with cancers known as pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma that are positive for the norepinephrine transporter, and who require systemic anticancer therapy.
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 |
![]() Megan Meays MAM, CCRC |
![]() Chris Blum Pharm D, BCOP |
![]() Nuclear Medicine Technologist |
![]() Nuclear Medicine Technologist |
![]() Marlene Bridwell BSN, RN |
![]() Nuclear Medicine Nurse |
![]() Karly Schneider, RD, LMNT |
![]() Kelly Horn |
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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