MHRA grants marketing authorisation for radioligand therapy Pluvicto (lutetium (177 Lu) vipivotide tetraxetan) in advanced prostate cancer in Great Britain. Novartis + Advanced Accelerator Applications.

Radioligand therapy (RLT) is an emerging treatment approach that may offer an alternative treatment option for some cancer patients . It combines a targeting compound (ligand) with a therapeutic radioactive atom (radioisotope). RLT is administered via the bloodstream and delivers targeted radiation to cancer cells in the body, with the goal of limiting damage to surrounding tissue.

Steve Allen, Acting Chair of Tackle Prostate Cancer, said, “Far too many people are still dying each year from prostate cancer. Tragically, those diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer will only have about a 1 in 2 chance of surviving 5 years. Today’s announcement of marketing authorisation for lutetium treatment is another positive milestone for eligible patients and their families. There continues to be a real and pressing need for better treatments for people with advanced prostate cancer. This new approach is very welcome.”

MHRA marketing authorisation of lutetium (177Lu) vipivotide tetraxetan is based on the alternate primary endpoint results from the Novartis randomised, open-label, international, multi-centre, Phase III VISION trial, where patients with progressive PSMA positive mCRPC treated with at least one androgen-receptor–pathway inhibitor and one or two taxane regimens. The study demonstrated prolonged overall survival and radiographic progression free survival with lutetium (177Lu) vipivotide tetraxetan and protocol-permitted standard of care (SOC; 551 patients) vs. SOC alone (280 patients). The incidence of adverse events, including those of grade 3 or higher, during treatment was higher in the lutetium (177Lu) vipivotide tetraxetan plus SOC group than in the SOC only group. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events in those receiving lutetium (177Lu) vipivotide tetraxetan plus SOC (all grades) were fatigue (43.1%), dry mouth (38.8%), nausea (35.3%), anaemia (31.8%), decreased appetite (21.2%) and constipation (20.2%)

Professor Johann de Bono, Professor of Experimental Cancer Medicine at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and Consultant Medical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said, “This is a major clinical advancement for people with advanced prostate cancer who have recurrent disease after androgen receptor pathway inhibitors and chemotherapy. Results from the Phase III VISION study have shown the significance of this precision medicine for patients with advanced prostate cancer and it is encouraging to see such innovations being recognised by the MHRA with this licensing authorisation.”.