Northwell’s Phelps Hospital is the first and only medical facility in New York State between the Bronx and Albany to offer Pluvicto, a groundbreaking treatment for men with advanced prostate cancer. This highly specialized, targeted therapy brings new hope to patients whose cancer has spread beyond the prostate, offering better quality of life and potentially extending survival.
The first infusion of Pluvicto was administered at Phelps on June 11, 2025 to Soukanh Louangsiyotha, a 78-year-old Ossining resident whose disease has progressed to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). This advanced stage, where the cancer has spread and no longer responds to hormone therapy, makes him a candidate for Pluvicto.
Mr. Louangsiyotha was initially diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017. Following treatment and a period of remission, the cancer returned in 2023, having metastasized and spread to his bones and lungs. Despite multiple rounds of chemotherapy and other treatments, his PSA levels continued to rise.
Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in American men. Approximately one in five of those deaths are in men with mCRPC.
“Pluvicto represents a major step forward for patients like Mr. Louangsiyotha in the Hudson Valley and beyond. It marks a new chapter in his fight, offering the potential for improved quality of life and renewed hope for the future,” said Ashwatha Narayana, MD, a radiation oncologist at Phelps Hospital. “The therapy utilizes a unique mechanism of action, delivering a precise dose of radiation directly to cancer cells anywhere in the body while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.”
This novel course of care represents the latest generation of targeted radionuclide therapy, a cancer treatment using radiation delivered via IV infusion. It works by attaching a small amount of a radioactive substance (LU-177) to a molecule that targets and binds to prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) – a protein found on the surface of prostate cancer cells.
Pluvicto’s unique targeting ability utilizes a precise “lock-and-key” mechanism to deliver radiation directly to cancer cells throughout the body, including areas beyond the bones, where earlier generations of radionuclide therapies were limited. This targeted approach minimizes damage to healthy tissue, resulting in fewer adverse effects – such as hair loss, nausea, and fatigue – compared to traditional chemotherapy and helps patients maintain a higher quality of life during treatment.
“The availability of Pluvicto at Phelps Hospital addresses a significant unmet need in the region, ensuring that men with advanced prostate cancer have access to cutting-edge care closer to home,” said Anthony Febles, MD, chief of radiology at Phelps Hospital. “Previously, patients had to travel long distances for this specialized treatment.”
In a clinical trial, Pluvicto, administered in combination with other treatments, was shown to be effective not just in the bone, but also in the lymph nodes, liver, lungs and elsewhere. In addition to increased overall survival compared to other treatments alone, participants experienced improved quality of life, reduced side effects and decreased levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a key marker for prostate cancer.
Who is eligible?
Men with mCRPC who have not responded to other treatments, including hormone therapy and chemotherapy, may be eligible for Pluvicto. Other factors considered include the extent of the cancer’s spread, overall health and other individual medical conditions. Pluvicto can be administered both before and after a patient has received chemotherapy. Patients receive infusions every six weeks and up to six doses.
The administration of Pluvicto requires specialized expertise and facilities, including approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Phelps Hospital meets the NRC’s rigorous standards and has invested in the advanced technology and training necessary to safely and effectively handle and administer radiopharmaceuticals.
“We are thrilled to be at the forefront of cancer care by bringing this life-changing therapy to our community,” said Beata Mastalerz, DNP, RN, president of Phelps Hospital. “Our mission is rooted in providing the most advanced and compassionate care to our patients, and Pluvicto is a testament to that commitment.”
