Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Expands Availability Of Advanced Radiopharmaceutical Therapies

Growth in clinic sites, patients treated for prostate and neuroendocrine cancers

FORT MYERS, Fla., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC (FCS) continues to expand the availability of life-changing and life-saving radiopharmaceutical therapies that are benefiting a growing number of cancer patients. FCS now offers three FDA-approved drugs, Pluvicto™, Xofigo^® and LUTATHERA™ (Radium-223 dichloride), at 14 clinic sites across its statewide network with plans to add one more site in Wesley Chapel by year-end. The number of patients and treatments administered for these cutting-edge therapies has more than doubled in the last three years due to growing availability and favorable outcomes.

FCS' Radiopharmaceutical Therapy (RPT) program launched in 2022 as the first oncology provider in Palm Beach County to offer Pluvicto™ and has since treated nearly 400 patients with over 1,000 infusions. The statewide practice has also seen similar growth in Lutathera and Xofigo patient visits over the past three years as it has broadened availability for those therapies.

"Radiopharmaceutical therapy is an increasingly promising cancer treatment option for patients with certain late-stage or recurrent cancers who have had limited success with prior therapies," said FCS Director of Radiation Oncology Sachin Kamath, MD. "At FCS we have the specialized clinical expertise, capabilities and technologies required to ensure safe and effective administration practices to the highest standards."

With RPT, a radioactive isotope is attached to a molecule and injected into the bloodstream intravenously to deliver a microscopic amount of radiation directly to tumor cells—killing or damaging them with minimal side effects and harm to surrounding healthy tissue. Due to their radioactive properties, these drugs must be administered in a clinic or facility where healthcare providers are trained and equipped to give radiation therapy.

"FCS continues to outpace what is typical for a community oncology provider, said FCS President & Managing Physician Lucio N. Gordan, MD. "This program is further demonstration of our ongoing commitment to providing our patients with the most advanced and promising precision medicine options."  

FCS offers Pluvicto™ and Xofigo^® (Radium-223 dichloride) for the treatment of late-stage (metastatic) castration-resistant prostate cancer and LUTATHERA^®, the first and only approved radiation treatment for adults with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) that can grow in the pancreas or other areas of the stomach, small intestine, rectum, colon or appendix.

Background:

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men, after skin cancer, and the leading cause of cancer death. Nearly 314,000 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2025. Approximately 10 – 20% of cases are classified as castration resistant and a portion of those are metastatic.

Although rare, approximately 12,000 Americans will be diagnosed with GEP-NETs in 2025, and the numbers are rising. Additionally, the incidence of GEP-NETs in the U.S. has increased in many organ sites in the past two decades, according to published studies. A research letter reported in JAMA Oncology found that between 2001 – 2020, overall incidence increased nearly four percent with increases seen in most organs.

Pluvicto™ is the first targeted radioligand therapy approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to treat prostate-specific membrane antigen-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (PSMA-positive mCRPC). This therapy is available to eligible adult males whose prostate cancer has metastasized to other parts of the body.

Last week, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration approved the use of Pluvicto in patients who have not previously undergone chemotherapy. In doing so, more patients will now have access to this revolutionary therapy.

Xofigo^® (Radium-223 dichloride) treats men with symptomatic late-stage (metastatic) castration-resistant prostate cancer that has spread to the bones but not to other organs, who have already received Androgen Deprivation Therapy (APT).

LUTATHERA^® is the first and only approved radiation treatment for adults with Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (GEP-NETs) that can grow in the pancreas or other areas of the stomach, small intestine, rectum, colon or appendix.

FCS locations now offering RPT:

"There has been enormous growth in the development of radiopharmaceuticals. FCS, in particular, is making significant progress in the theranostic space which combines diagnostic and therapeutic agents," adds FCS radiation oncologist Luis Carrascosa, MD. "More hope is on the horizon and FCS will continue to be on the forefront to ensure our patients are able to access personalized precision oncology close to home."  Dr. Carrascosa, a board-certified radiation oncologist, provides clinical leadership and oversight for the RPT program across the statewide practice.

About Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC: (FLCancer.com)
For more than 40 years, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) has embraced innovation to deliver world-class care and drive the dramatic transformation of oncology care through its robust clinical research program.

FCS provides patients with access to a wide range of clinical trials, positioning it as a leader in research among private oncology practices in Florida and across the country. In fact, before receiving FDA approval, the majority of new cancer drugs in the U.S. were first made available to patients through participation in clinical trials at FCS.

Our outstanding team of highly trained and dedicated physicians is committed to delivering tailored treatment plans that make the best use of cutting-edge precision oncology advancements to enhance patient outcomes.

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SOURCE Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute