What Is Nuclear Medicine?

Nuclear medicine therapy is an advanced cancer treatment approach that uses targeted radioactive medications to deliver radiation directly to cancer cells. Rather than affecting the entire body, these treatments are designed to seek out specific disease sites, allowing for precise therapy while limiting exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.

At New England Cancer Specialists, our nuclear medicine program is focused exclusively on therapeutic treatments. We offer two FDA-approved nuclear medicine therapies: Pluvicto® and Xofigo®

How Does Nuclear Medicine Work?

Nuclear medicine treatments involve administering a targeted radioactive medication through an intravenous infusion. Once in the body, the medication travels to and binds with specific cancer cells or disease sites. The radiation is then released locally, damaging or destroying those targeted cells while limiting impact on healthy tissue.

Nuclear medicine can serve two purposes:

• Diagnostic imaging: Specialized scans (such as PET or SPECT) help identify and localize disease.
• Targeted therapy: Therapeutic nuclear medicine delivers radiation directly to cancer cells to slow disease progression and relieve symptoms.

Nuclear Medicine Treatments We Offer

Pluvicto® (Lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan)

Pluvicto is a targeted nuclear medicine therapy used to treat certain patients with advanced, metastatic prostate cancer. It binds to prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), which is commonly found on prostate cancer cells, and delivers radiation directly to those cells.

Xofigo® (Radium Ra 223 dichloride)

Xofigo is a nuclear medicine therapy used to treat prostate cancer that has spread to the bones. It mimics calcium and selectively targets bone metastases, delivering radiation that helps relieve pain and reduce complications related to bone disease.

Conditions Treated with Nuclear Medicine at NECS

• Advanced and metastatic prostate cancer (Pluvicto)
• Prostate cancer with bone metastases (Xofigo)

Benefits of Nuclear Medicine Therapies

Nuclear medicine therapies offer several advantages compared with traditional treatments:

• Targeted treatment: Radiation is delivered directly to cancer cells or affected bone sites
• Personalized care: Therapy selection is based on disease characteristics and prior treatments
• Precision: Limits radiation exposure to healthy tissues
• Improved quality of life: Can reduce symptoms and slow disease progression
• Generally well tolerated: Many patients experience fewer side effects than with conventional chemotherapy

Possible Side Effects

Side effects vary depending on the medication and individual patient factors. Most patients tolerate nuclear medicine therapies well. Your care team will review potential risks, monitor labs and symptoms closely, and provide guidance throughout treatment.

Prognosis and Ongoing Care

Outcomes with nuclear medicine therapies depend on factors such as cancer type, disease extent, overall health, and response to treatment. Pluvicto and Xofigo have demonstrated meaningful benefits for appropriately selected patients, including improved symptom control and quality of life. Ongoing research continues to expand the role of nuclear medicine in cancer care.

Prognosis and Ongoing Care

If you or a loved one may benefit from nuclear medicine therapy, schedule an appointment with New England Cancer Specialists. Our team provides coordinated, patient-centered care using advanced treatments such as Pluvicto and Xofigo to help manage cancer effectively and safely.