From Overwhelmed to Empowered: Pluvicto is Changing Metastatic Prostate Cancer Care

Sponsored article from Novartis

When the battle feels lost, they may stay silent to protect their pride—afraid that speaking up means admitting defeat. But real strength is striking back by breaking that silence. It starts with the right information.

Following the FDA expanded approval of Pluvicto in March 2025, men living with mCRPC in earlier stages of the disease have—for the first time in over a decade—an alternative option to chemotherapy or repeating an Androgen Receptor Pathway Inhibitors (ARPI) (hormone therapy). For people with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positive mCRPC, it is important to understand the choices available.

Rather than shutting down to preserve self-identity, speaking up can allow men to focus on what matters most to them. Many would welcome a set of guideposts to light up the paths available to them, giving them a sense of choice and confidence. With this in mind, here are some frequently asked questions by people living with mCRPC and families navigating life with metastatic prostate cancer.

Q: What makes Pluvicto different from other available prostate cancer treatment options?

A: PLUVICTO is designed to find and attack PSMA+ cells. PSMA is found on many prostate cancer cells and also some healthy cells. It may also affect some nearby healthy cells. It works by seeking out prostate cancer cells that have PSMA biomarkers, which are present in over 80% of people with mCRPC, allowing radiation to be delivered wherever the cancer is in the body.1

For many, it’s an opportunity to delay chemotherapy after their cancer is no longer responsive to hormone therapy.

Pluvicto offers an additional choice and time to plan a personalized treatment journey. When charting the course in mCRPC, it’s often not just about treating the cancer—it’s about gaining more time and more opportunities to plan what comes next in life.

Q: How can we learn more from doctors about the right option for me?

A: Some may be hesitant about speaking up to their doctors so it may be helpful to know that nearly 70% of oncologists say they welcome more proactive questions from their patients.2 The sooner the conversation happens, the sooner the trajectory of the treatment path can change, so patients could start by simply asking, “Do you think Pluvicto might be right for me?”

No one knows a person better than they know themselves—so self-advocacy matters and is something to be proud of. Support from a care partner or loved one can help people feel more confident when approaching their care team. From taking notes to asking follow-up questions, working as a collective can help make sure every perspective is heard. It sometimes feels like overstepping, but it’s not, it’s being proactive and taking charge. When it comes to cancer care, a person’s voice is one of the most powerful tools they have in finding what’s best for him.

Q: Trying different treatments can be exhausting—how do people stay positive and cope with the uncertainty of trying a new treatment?

A: Everyone’s experience may be different, and each situation comes with its own choices. It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed after trying several treatment options, and there will be times when it can feel like it’s hard to see the path forward.

Hope doesn’t mean ignoring what’s hard, it’s about focusing on what’s within reach and controllable: asking questions, understanding options, and making choices that reflect both personal wants and needs. For many, it’s the motivation to show up for the moments that matter—being able to show up to a family event, having the energy to play with grandkids, or simply feeling like themselves more often.

Healthcare teams can connect patients and care partners with support groups and other resources to help them stay focused on their goals. Patients and their loved ones are not alone on this journey, and they don’t have to face this stage of the disease on their own.

Q: How can people feel supported and prepared when receiving Pluvicto?

A: To feel truly supported through an mCRPC treatment journey, it’s important to understand not only medical care but also the non-clinical considerations that can impact their experience and peace of mind. Since there are over 620 outpatient centers administering Pluvicto across the US, some people are referred to local treatment centers that are nearby.

If patients and their families need help coordinating travel, navigating insurance, and answering questions to help them feel more equipped and confident heading into treatment, the Novartis Patient Support Program offers tools and guidance from people who can help.

Q: If a patient really likes their current care team, will they need to see a different one to receive Pluvicto?

A: No, but a care team can expand. Oncologists, urologists, and nuclear medicine specialists work closely together, leveraging individual expertise to deliver Pluvicto as part of a coordinated effort that ensures the treatment experience fit each individual patient’s needs. Experts even advocate for embracing the multidisciplinary team approach as it can potentially improve clinical outcomes for patients.

Having Pluvicto as an option may lead to shifts in a care team allowing for the right specialists to be involved at the right time . A person’s current care team is ready and equipped to guide patients through what to expect when choosing Pluvicto.

Q: Is it true that patients must be physically distanced from loved ones during treatment?

A: Patients may be advised to limit close physical contact: 2 days for household contact and 7 days for children and pregnant women. Patients and care partners might have specific questions about how it could impact their daily tasks. It's important to ask all questions about what this means for them and their loved ones (including their pets) to feel prepared and protected.

However, being physically apart doesn’t mean they hit pause on their personal life. Planning video and phone calls with family and friends, virtual movie nights and shared music playlists can go a long way in keeping support systems close, even when physically apart.

Feeling connected is just as important as feeling prepared, and both can make a real difference in the treatment experience.

Closing: Knowledge is power, both in learning about treatment options and in helping healthcare teams understand the priorities of their patients. There’s another chance to delay progression while preserving what matters most.

Someone living with mCRPC should feel empowered to ask questions to understand how this targeted treatment aligns with their goals and priorities. It’s not just about managing cancer, but about the everyday moments that make life worth living. Every decision offers people the chance to take charge of their mCRPC journey and shape the moments in between—transforming the silence they hold to protect themselves in the wilderness into the clear call of a leader OR decisive call of a captain, navigating forward with purpose and support.

More information about whether Pluvicto may be an appropriate option is available at Pluvicto.com.

Important Safety Information for Pluvicto

What is PLUVICTO® (lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan)?

PLUVICTO is a prescription treatment used to treat adults with prostate-specific membrane antigen–positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (PSMA-positive mCRPC) already treated with:

• hormone therapy or
• hormone therapy and chemotherapy

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about PLUVICTO?

Use of PLUVICTO involves exposure to radioactivity. Long-term, accruing radiation exposure is associated with an increased risk for cancer. Drink plenty of water and urinate as often as possible during the first hours after administration.

To minimize radiation exposure to others following administration of PLUVICTO, limit close contact (less than 3 feet) with household contacts for 2 days or with children and pregnant women for 7 days. Refrain from sexual activity for 7 days, and sleep in a separate bedroom from household contacts for 3 days, from children for 7 days, or from pregnant women for 15 days.

PLUVICTO may cause serious side effects, including:

Low level of blood cell counts. Tell your doctor right away if you develop any new or worsening symptoms, including:

• Tiredness or weakness
• Pale skin
• Shortness of breath
• Bleeding or bruising more easily than normal or difficulty stopping bleeding
• Frequent infections with signs such as fever, chills, sore throat, or mouth ulcers

Kidney problems. You should stay well-hydrated before and after treatment. Tell your doctor right away if you develop any new or worsening urinary symptoms.

All radiopharmaceuticals, including PLUVICTO, have the potential to cause harm to an unborn baby.

You should use effective contraception during treatment with PLUVICTO and for 14 weeks after your last dose

PLUVICTO may cause temporary or permanent infertility.

The most common side effects of PLUVICTO include:

• Decreased blood cell counts
• Tiredness
• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Appetite loss
• Joint pain
• Constipation
• Back pain

These are not all of the possible side effects of PLUVICTO. Call your doctor for advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see full Prescribing Information.

References

1. Pluvicto. Prescribing information. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.
2. Cancer Network. Do oncologists treat patients as they would themselves? Accessed June 2, 2025. https://www.cancernetwork.com/view/do-oncologists-treat-patients-they-would-themselves