New hope in fighting prostate cancer

PLUVICTO operates like a homing missile that specifically targets PSMA-positive prostate cancer cells.

While prostate cancer is often slow growing, it can be life-threatening if not caught early. Fortunately, a new radiopharmaceutical drug is proving highly effective at treating metastatic 
prostate cancer.

Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center is the first hospital in the North Bay to use Pluvicto® to treat late-stage prostate cancer. The drug, which was developed by Novartis and 
approved by the FDA in 2022, has provided the gift of time to men with prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

Extending lives

“It’s like a heat-seeking missile for metastatic prostate cancer,” explains Dr. Bhavani Gannavarapu, radiation oncologist at Queen of the Valley. “Clinical trials have shown that the 
drug slows cancer progression and meaningfully extends the lives of prostate cancer patients.”

The treatment is an injectable radioactive drug that targets and kills prostate cancer cells with minimal harm to surrounding healthy tissue. It’s proven effective for patients who may no longer be responding to other therapies, such as hormonal treatments and chemotherapy. 

“Since August 2024, we’ve recommended Pluvicto to patients with metastatic prostate cancer that is life-threatening and who have exhausted other treatment options,” said Dr. Michael Corradetti, radiation oncologist at Queen of the Valley. “The fact we can give these patients more time with their loved ones is certainly very significant.”

Giving someone more time to see a daughter get married, plan more family vacations or teach their grandchildren something important — these are important victories.

Effective treatment for a common cancer

The American Cancer Society reports that approximately 313,780 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually, and one in 44 dies from the disease. 

“Regular screening and early detection are the best defense against prostate cancer,” said Dr. Brian Kim, a urologist with Providence Medical Group in Napa. “If we catch it early, it is highly 
treatable with surgery, radiation or other localized therapies. In many cases, non-aggressive forms of prostate cancer can be closely monitored.”

However, more aggressive forms of prostate cancer can spread to other parts of the body, making them more difficult to treat.

“The unfortunate cases most often occur when patients do not see their primary doctor regularly for screening and are diagnosed at a late stage, when the cancer has escaped the prostate,” said Dr. Kim. “The treatment strategy then shifts from localized to more systemic options provided by our expert oncologists.”

As Dr. Gannavarapu explains, what makes this radiopharmaceutical treatment a “home run” in the oncology world is that it allows patients to live longer and maintain their quality of life.

“This is a treatment that, until recently, was only available at select academic medical centers,” he said. “We are fortunate to now be able to provide this proven cancer care closer to patient’s homes."

During treatment, Pluvicto, a radioactive drug, is injected into the patient’s vein. Pluvicto targets PSMA (Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen), a protein found on the surface of prostate cancer cells and one that can be detected with specialized PET scans. Pluvicto is absorbed and releases radiation into PSMA+ cells — damaging or destroying them with limited damage to surrounding cells.

“Chemotherapy drugs are often nonspecific,” said Dr. Corradetti. “Whereas, with a drug like Pluvicto, if the cells light up on a PET scan, you know which cells you are targeting. Over time, you can use those same PET scans to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. It’s a built-in measurement.”

Patients receive treatments every six weeks for up to six treatments. One of the advantages of this treatment is there are relatively few side effects, and they don’t affect quality of life as much as other regimens, such as chemotherapy.

It takes a team

Treating cancer patients is a team effort. Queen of the Valley’s network of surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, radiologists, nurses, nuclear medicine technologists and other medical professionals partner to personalize care.

“All three teams of doctors — urologists, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists — work closely together to provide the best and most appropriate care for our cancer patients. We participate in weekly tumor board meetings to discuss complex cases and recommend a course of treatment,” said Dr. James Lau, a urologist with Providence Medical Group in Napa.

“Patient cases are reviewed at the tumor board meeting, where every doctor in the case is represented, as well as clinicians from key departments such as nuclear medicine, nursing, nutrition and social work,” said Dr. Corradetti. “We individualize treatment for every patient according to the consensus of the team – it’s a team effort.”

“What I really appreciate is our collaborative approach. We are strong individually and even more powerful as a team. That’s what makes the Queen’s oncology care truly stand out,” said Dr. Gannavarapu.

A promising step forward

In April 2025, the FDA approved Pluvicto for patients who have prostate cancer that is metastatic and castration-resistant (also known as mCRPC) and have not had chemotherapy.

This is a promising step forward that would approximately triple the number of patients eligible for treatment. Talk to your oncologist for the latest information about availability. Many are hopeful the success of radiopharmaceutical drugs like Pluvicto could pave the way for other types of cancer. At Queen of the Valley Medical Center, we are committed to bringing cutting-edge cancer treatments that offer hope and healing to the Napa community.

For more information, talk to the doctor managing your care. 

Make an appointment with a Providence Medical Group urologist or oncologist at providence.org/doctors.