Biochemical Relapse After Lu-177 PSMA — Options for Bone-only mCRPC

Posted by Deepak @sumith, Feb 22 8:13am

My father is 82 and was diagnosed in December 2021 with advanced prostate cancer. MRI at diagnosis showed a PIRADS 5 prostate lesion with pelvic lymphadenopathy and multiple bone metastases. No biopsy done. A PSMA PET in 2022 confirmed diffuse skeletal disease. His PSA was >100 at presentation and ALP was ~300.

In January 2022 he underwent orchiectomy and started abiraterone, which he continued for about 20 months. His PSA fell into the 20–30 range and remained stable during that time. ALP normalized and has stayed normal since. He has been on denosumab 120 mg every 12 weeks throughout.

In late 2023 his PSA began rising (into the 40s), marking transition to castration-resistant disease, and he was switched to enzalutamide. PSA initially dropped to 19 but then gradually increased despite dose escalation. He was on enzalutamide for roughly 12 months. By August 2024 PSA was 58 and by September it reached 130. Around that time he developed intermittent bone pain. A repeat PSMA PET showed more extensive skeletal metastases but resolution of the prostate lesion and pelvic nodes — essentially bone-only disease at that stage.

He then received 4 cycles of Lu-177 PSMA starting September 2024, and hormonal therapy was stopped at that time. He had an excellent response, with PSA declining to a nadir of 2.4 about six months after completing Lu. Bone pain resolved and he returned to his usual routine. He is currently not on any systemic cancer therapy.

Now, about a year after finishing Lu, his PSA has risen gradually from 2.4 to 7.5 over five months. He feels well, walks over a kilometer daily, and continues part-time office work. Hemoglobin is around 12 and ALP remains normal. Due to age and reduced cardiac function (EF ~35–40%, CRT device), he is not considered a candidate for standard chemotherapy.

I am trying to understand realistic next options now that his PSA appears to be rising again. For those who have been in a similar situation after a strong Lu response, what approaches have provided meaningful control? Has anyone had success with Lu rechallenge (2 or 4 more cycles), Actinium-based therapy, Radium-223, or any oral agents in older patients who cannot tolerate chemotherapy? Would appreciate hearing how others have sequenced treatment at this stage.

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Profile picture for Jeff Marchi @jeffmarc

@sumith
I am unsure why you are asking this. You’ve already said he won’t respond to Darolutamide Because he has already Failed Enzalutamide.

In that case going to Darolutamide Is probably not going work at all, and a low-dose of it won’t help.

I know people in their 80s that are using Darolutamide As their only drug and it works great for them. So the safety of the drug is not a problem, the Efficacy of the drug is what Is questioned whether it is a full dose or a half dose.

The two drugs are too similar.

This is a case where you could try BAT. Giving testosterone injections for a few months to see if it will reset the ability for a lutamide drug to work. It works for about 50% of people. The injections of testosterone would definitely make him feel better. The question is, will it raise his PSA too quickly and defeat the purpose.

There are a couple of BAT articles. The second one has a bunch of stuff about treatment of advanced prostate cancer as well.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9313844/
https://online.flippingbook.com/view/150884930/2-3/

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@jeffmarc I think he is asking about a low dose of docetaxel chemotherapy, not a low dose of darolutamide.

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Profile picture for lag @lag

@jeffmarc I think he is asking about a low dose of docetaxel chemotherapy, not a low dose of darolutamide.

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@lag
You are right I misread his question.

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Profile picture for Deepak @sumith

@jeffmarc, my dad will not respond to Nubeqa (darolutamide) since he is already resistant to Enzalutamide. I was asking about the safety and efficacy of low dose Docetaxel (chemo) at his age.

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@sumith
Sorry about the wrong answer. I misread Darolutamide for docetaxel.

I have heard of people having low-dose docetaxel A few times. It is easier to handle the side effects from it. In the long run, it ends up with the same results. They give it to you for a longer period of time.

Can’t say for sure how it will affect him, but it would be better than a full dose. Chemo affects everybody differently. Some people have a hard time with it others say it’s not too bad.

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Profile picture for Jeff Marchi @jeffmarc

@sumith
Sorry about the wrong answer. I misread Darolutamide for docetaxel.

I have heard of people having low-dose docetaxel A few times. It is easier to handle the side effects from it. In the long run, it ends up with the same results. They give it to you for a longer period of time.

Can’t say for sure how it will affect him, but it would be better than a full dose. Chemo affects everybody differently. Some people have a hard time with it others say it’s not too bad.

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@jeffmarc , thanks for all your inputs. Keeping our fingers crossed. Hope this low dose chemo works once he is done with Pluvicto.

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