Novartis announced on Sunday (31/5/2026) that early data from its experimental actinium-based drug showed signs of anti-cancer activity against prostate cancer, including patients previously treated with its older drug, Pluvicto, as reported by Reuters.
Data from a study of 101 patients showed that 52.5% of those previously treated with Pluvicto saw their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels drop by at least half when they took the actinium-based medicine. Elevated PSA levels are a common marker for prostate cancer.
Response rates were even higher in prostate cancer patients who had not previously received Pluvicto. More than 85% of patients in the trial who had not had any prior treatment, as well as 58.8% of those who had undergone chemotherapy first, saw their PSA levels halved, according to data presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference in Chicago.
According to Reuters, response rates were even higher in prostate cancer patients who had not previously received Pluvicto.
Novartis' Chief Medical Officer, Shreeram Aradhye, said more trials will be needed to fully assess the side effects (severe anaemia, dry mouth), especially if the drug is used in earlier stages of treatment.
The Swiss pharmaceutical company is stepping up its bet on radiology and therapies, which deliver radiation directly to cancer cells, and is already progressing with two Phase III studies for this experimental drug.
protothema.gr
