Overview

Theranostics — short for “therapy” and “diagnostics” — is an innovative cancer treatment that uses the same molecule to both detect and destroy cancer cells. This approach delivers a radioactive drug that binds to specific receptors on tumor cells, allowing your care team to first locate cancer through imaging and then deliver radiation directly to those same cells.

At Endeavor Health, we’re proud to offer FDA-approved theranostic therapies like Pluvicto® for metastatic prostate cancer and Lutethera for advanced neuroendocrine tumors — and we’re constantly expanding access as new therapies are developed for other cancer types.

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Types of theranostic therapy

Pluvicto® (lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan)

Approved for use in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. This therapy delivers radiation directly to prostate cancer cells that express PSMA (prostate-specific membrane antigen) with fewer side effects compared to traditional systemic treatment.

Ga-68 PSMA PET imaging

This diagnostic test can aid in indicating the presence of PSMA-positive prostate cancer lesions.

Neuroendocrine tumor theranostics

Research is ongoing to apply similar targeted radiotherapies to neuroendocrine tumors and other cancers. Endeavor Health continues to monitor and participate in clinical trials to bring these options to more patients in the future. Lutathera is currently being offered at Endeavor Health for neuroendocrine cancers.

Why choose Endeavor Health?

At Endeavor Health, we’re proud to be among the first in the region to offer advanced theranostic therapies, combining expert planning, targeted delivery and a coordinated care experience that puts your safety and quality of life first.

Our radiation oncologists and nuclear medicine teams are trained in delivering and managing these highly targeted treatments, including Pluvicto for advanced prostate cancer.

Theranostics requires coordination between nuclear medicine, radiology, oncology and radiation oncology. We manage your care with a team-based, expert approach.

Because radiation is delivered directly to cancer cells, patients often experience fewer side effects than with traditional therapies and enjoy better quality of life during treatment.

We’re actively involved in research and expanding access to theranostics beyond prostate cancer, with clinical trials and new indications on the horizon.

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Clinical trials

Endeavor Health participates in clinical trials exploring new applications of theranostics, including earlier use in prostate cancer, and treatment for other tumor types like neuroendocrine cancers.

Latest insights in cancer care

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Your care journey is our mission

The Endeavor Health Cancer Institute delivers advanced therapies like theranostics through collaborative care, precision imaging and personalized support — offering you new hope through innovation.

About the institute