Jamin C Morrison, MD
A South Jersey man is the first patient at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper to receive Lutathera, an innovative new treatment option for patients with a rare form of cancer.
Lutathera is a targeted radioactive drug approved for the treatment of patients with advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs), a rare category of tumors that can form in the pancreas or other parts of the gastrointestinal tract.
Although this treatment is not a cure, clinical trials show that Lutathera slows the progression of the disease, allowing patients to live longer, better lives. In fact, research showed that patients treated with Lutathera had a 79% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death compared with other treatment options for this type of cancer. Lutathera also improves quality of life, reducing pain, fatigue, and diarrhea.
Lutathera is given intravenously. Once inside the body, the drug attaches to a receptor in the tumor and emits radiation to attack the cancer cells from the inside. It is administered in four doses that are given every eight weeks.
“Historically, patients with aggressive GEP-NETs have had limited treatment options if the initial therapy fails to keep the cancer from advancing,” said Jamin Morrison, MD, Medical Director, Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, MD Anderson at Cooper and Assistant Professor of Medicine, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University.
“We are excited to have this cutting-edge therapy available to our patients. It is a game-changer for patients with rare cancers.”
MD Anderson at Cooper is the only hospital in South Jersey to offer patients Lutathera. Because Lutathera is a radiopharmaceutical, it should be used by or under the control of physicians who have specific training and experience in the safe use and handling of radiopharmaceuticals and whose experience and training have been approved by the appropriate governmental agency authorized to license the use of radiopharmaceuticals.
To learn more about MD Anderson at Cooper and our advanced treatment options for patients with cancer visit MDACooper.org, or to make an appointment call 855.MDA.COOPER (855.632.2667).