Internal Radiation via PSMA Therapy Postpones Aggressive Hormone Treatment by Twenty Months in Early-Stage Prostate Cancer Patients

Radboudumc research shows PSMA therapy delays burdensome hormone treatment by 20 months in early-stage prostate cancer, maintaining patient quality of life.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 31, 2026, 3:27 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Radboudumc

Expanding the Clinical Application of PSMA Therapy

Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) therapy has traditionally been reserved as a last-resort treatment for patients who have exhausted all other medical options. However, new research indicates that this "internal radiation" technique is highly effective when applied much earlier in the disease's progression. By targeting tumors from within using lightly radioactive particles, clinicians at Radboudumc have shown that the therapy can successfully manage limited metastatic prostate cancer—defined as cases with five or fewer metastases—providing a new tactical layer to early-stage oncology.

The Mechanism of Internal Tumor Irradiation

PSMA therapy works by attaching a radioactive isotope to a molecule that specifically seeks out the PSMA protein found on the surface of prostate cancer cells. Once injected, these molecules travel through the bloodstream and latch onto the cancerous cells, delivering a precise dose of radiation directly to the tumor while sparing the surrounding healthy tissue. This targeted approach has shown positive effects in approximately two out of three patients, not only prolonging survival but also significantly improving the day-to-day quality of life for those undergoing the four-session treatment course.

Mitigating the Side Effects of Hormonal Deprivation

The primary driver for the earlier adoption of PSMA therapy is the desire to delay or avoid the systemic side effects associated with hormone therapy. Conventional hormonal treatments often result in symptoms similar to menopause, including hot flashes, loss of muscle strength, and chronic fatigue. Project leader James Nagarajah noted that an increasing number of men are seeking alternatives that preserve their physical strength and vitality. The study confirms that PSMA therapy offers a far more tolerable safety profile, allowing patients to remain active and asymptomatic for a longer duration.