Considering the Costs of Targeted Radionuclide Therapies in Prostate Cancer

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Published Mar 26, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v12i3.5043

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Main Article Content

M Vorster
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Durban, South Africa
A Mallum
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Department of Oncology, Durban, South Africa
M Sathekge
Department of Nuclear Medicine University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
T Pascual
Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippine Nuclear Research Institute

Abstract

There is no denying the importance of prostate cancer as a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in men. As such, it represents an important driver of healthcare costs and there is a (mostly unmet) need to provide evidence that assists decision-makers in prioritizing one management strategy over another in budget planning.


Theranostics in prostate cancer represents a non-invasive out-patient strategy for patient management, which consists of imaging with a PSMA-based agent, followed by targeted radionuclide therapy with either a beta emitter (such as Lutetium-177) or an alpha emitter (such as Actinium-225). Evidence for these management approaches is mounting with FDA approval of imaging and therapy agents following landmark trials like the ProPSMA study, the VISION- and the TheraP trial. 


Despite the explosion in publications on the use of targeted radionuclide therapies in prostate cancer, studies that compare the cost-effectiveness of available nuclear medicine imaging and treatment strategies remain hard to find. The aim of this mini review was to summarize the most important current evidence related to cost-effectiveness strategies that evaluate imaging and targeted radionuclide therapies for PSMA-based PET theranostics.


We found a paucity of literature that deals with healthcare costs, with an obvious need for more cost-effectiveness studies to demonstrate the positive impact of nuclear medicine in the management of oncology (and other) patients. These studies need to be based on well-conducted clinical trials and meta-analyses, with appropriate model simulations and decision analysis and should ideally be reported according to the CHEERS 2022 guidelines to improve uniformity and robustness.

Keywords: Cost-effectiveness, Prostate cancer, targeted radionuclide therapy, Lu-177-PSMA, PRRT, CER, ICER, ACER, QALY

Article Details

How to Cite
VORSTER, M et al. Considering the Costs of Targeted Radionuclide Therapies in Prostate Cancer. Medical Research Archives, [S.l.], v. 12, n. 3, mar. 2024. ISSN 2375-1924. Available at: <https://esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/view/5043>. Date accessed: 30 apr. 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v12i3.5043.
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Issue
Vol 12 No 3 (2024): March issue, Vol.12, Issue 3
Section
Research Articles

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