Minesh Mehta, MD, discusses recent advancements in radiation oncology approaches for patients with prostate cancer.

Dr Mehta on Radiation Oncology Innovations in Prostate Cancer

Minesh Mehta, MD, deputy director, chief, Radiation Oncology, Miami Cancer Institute, Baptist Health, discusses recent advancements in in radiation therapy for patients with prostate cancer, particularly noting the benefits and significance of lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan (Pluvicto; formerly 177Lu-PSMA-617) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in modern radiation oncology practice.

Innovations in radiation treatment have improved personalized medicine and patient outcomes in prostate cancer, Mehta begins. One such development is the introduction of liquid radiation therapy which utilizes radioisotopes like lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan, for patients with metastatic and refractory prostate cancer, Mehta states. Lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan belongs to a novel drug class known as theragnostic agents. These agents are tagged with radioisotopes, allowing them to accurately identify and treat disease in a personalized manner, he explains. Mehta reports that this "seek, find, and kill" strategy holds promise for tailoring treatment to the specific biology of each patient's tumor, potentially leading to more effective and targeted therapies. Accordingly, lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan has shown high efficacy in treating metastatic disease, offering hope and improved outcomes for patients facing advanced stages of prostate cancer, he adds.

Another notable advancement is in the management of oligometastatic prostate cancer, where SBRT has emerged as a key treatment approach, Mehta continues. SBRT techniques have demonstrated improvements in progression-free survival and, in some cases, overall survival, Mehta states. This approach more precisely targets isolated metastatic lesions, offering patients a chance for prolonged disease control, as well as potentially extending survival, he says.

Overall, the introduction of lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan and advancements in SBRT techniques underscore the evolving landscape of prostate cancer treatment. These innovations not only improve therapeutic options but also pave the way for more personalized and precise approaches to managing this complex disease, Mehta concludes.

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Minesh Mehta, MD, discusses how MRI-guided adaptive radiation therapy systems may improve disease outcomes in cancer care.

Dr Mehta on the Advantages of MRI-Guided Adaptive Radiotherapy in Cancer Care

Minesh Mehta, MD, Deputy Director, chief, Radiation Oncology, Miami Cancer Institute, Baptist Health, discusses the potential utility of radiotherapy, including how the introduction of MRI-guided adaptive radiation therapy systems is improving precision and outcomes across cancer care.

Mehta begins by emphasizing that effective utilization of radiotherapy relies on precision, delivery, and accuracy, which are facilitated by advanced imaging technologies. He adds that one key advancement in this field is the introduction of the MRI-guided linear accelerator (MRI-Linac), a fusion of 2 technologies: MRI scanning and a linear accelerator for radiation delivery. By integrating an MRI scanner into the treatment system, the MRI-Linac offers unparalleled precision in imaging, allowing for detailed visualization of both normal tissues and tumors, Mehta explains.

A key advantage of the MRI-Linac is its ability to track tumor motion in real-time, enabling highly accurate radiation delivery even as the tumor moves, Mehta details. This capability ensures that radiation doses are precisely targeted to the tumor, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues, he explains. Additionally, MRI-Linac facilitates the delivery of large fractions of radiation in shorter dosing schedules, which can significantly alter the biological response of the disease, Mehta notes.

Recent data, particularly in challenging-to-treat cancers like pancreatic cancer, have demonstrated the efficacy of the MRI-Linac approach, Mehta continues. The study showed that administering 5 treatments with the MRI-Linac can substantially increase local disease control rates, representing a significant advancement in cancer treatment, he reports.

Overall, the integration of MRI imaging with radiation delivery in the MRI-Linac represents a development in radiotherapy, Mehta emphasizes. This technology offers precision and accuracy in tumor targeting, leading to improved treatment outcomes and potentially transforming the management of various types of cancer. Continued research and clinical studies will further elucidate the full potential of the MRI-Linac in oncology practice.

Minesh Mehta, MD

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Dr Mehta on Radiation Oncology Innovations in Prostate Cancer

Dr Mehta on the Advantages of MRI-Guided Adaptive Radiotherapy in Cancer Care