New Breakthrough in Precision Treatment for Advanced Prostate Cancer: Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital of Zhejiang University Launches “Nuclear” Anti-Cancer Weapon

Recently, a team led by Chief Physician Chen Yicheng from the Department of Urology at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital of Zhejiang University, together with a multidisciplinary team (MDT) including Nuclear Medicine, Medical Oncology, and Radiology, successfully administered Lutetium-177 Tixivapitide Injection (radioligand therapy) to a 70-something patient with prostate cancer.

This marked the hospital’s first case of such treatment, signifying that precision treatment for advanced prostate cancer has officially entered a new era of integrated nuclear medicine diagnosis and treatment, bringing a brand-new therapeutic option for patients with advanced prostate cancer in Zhejiang and surrounding regions.

Severe Bone Metastases and Treatment Deadlock

The patient Mr. Zhang had suffered from prostate cancer for years and undergone standard treatments including surgery and endocrine therapy. However, the disease progressed to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) with extensive bone metastases.

Excruciating bone pain severely disrupted his sleep and quality of life, leaving the family in despair.

Facing the complex condition, the team launched an MDT consultation. After rigorous joint evaluation, experts designed an internationally advanced Lutetium-177 targeted nuclear medicine therapy plan.

Precision “Cruise Missile” Targets Cancer Cells

Chief Physician Chen Yicheng describes Lutetium-177 as a precision-guided cruise missile:

1. Precise targeting: Uses Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) as the target; specific binding molecules act as “guides” to identify tumor lesions throughout the body.

2. Deep penetration: The radionuclide Lutetium-177 travels through the bloodstream directly into tumor tissue.

3. Focused attack: Emits beta rays with a range of only ~2 mm, destroying cancer cell DNA inside tumors while maximally protecting surrounding healthy tissue.

Compared with conventional chemotherapy, this therapy has better tolerance and milder adverse reactions. It significantly reduces PSA levels, prolongs overall survival, and provides outstanding pain relief for bone metastases, rapidly improving quality of life.

MDT Collaboration Establishes Standardized Nuclear Medicine Therapy

The successful first case of Lutetium-177 therapy represents another major achievement of the hospital’s MDT model.

The Urology Department, together with Nuclear Medicine, Medical Oncology, and Radiology, has established a full-process standardized system covering preoperative evaluation, regimen design, treatment delivery, and postoperative management to ensure safety and efficacy.

Led by Chief Physician Chen Yicheng — a renowned expert in urologic oncology and minimally invasive robotic surgery — the team focuses on innovative precision diagnosis and treatment for prostate cancer. This launch further completes the hospital’s full-cycle, full-course prostate cancer treatment system.

The Department of Urology at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital is a leading minimally invasive center in China, performing 14,000 surgeries annually including 1,200 robotic procedures, and leading multiple clinical trials of innovative prostate cancer drugs and robotic operations.

Bringing World-Class Care Locally

“We aim not only to introduce top-tier international drugs and technologies but also to build localized, standardized procedures so that advanced medical care truly benefits the public,” said Chief Physician Chen Yicheng.

The hospital will continue promoting the standardized application of Lutetium-177 and other targeted nuclear medicine therapies. Its upcoming Proton Therapy Center will further synergize with minimally invasive surgery and novel drugs to improve cure rates and extend survival for advanced prostate cancer patients.

This deep integration of nuclear medicine and precision oncology indicates that advanced prostate cancer — once considered “incurable” — is gradually becoming a controllable, manageable chronic disease.