Innovative Lutetium Treatment Completely Eradicates Metastatic Prostate Cancer in Safed Patient

Gonen Klein, a 66-year-old man from Kibbutz Degania B, fully recovered from metastatic prostate cancer that had spread to his bones and other organs after undergoing an advanced Lutetium-177 PSMA treatment at the Ziv Medical Center in Safed. Following a series of treatments at the nuclear medicine institute, imaging tests showed no evidence of disease, and Klein's PSA levels dropped to zero. Doctors described his response as exceptional, noting that both the primary tumor and metastases disappeared entirely.

The Lutetium therapy is a targeted radioactive treatment that binds to a protein highly expressed on prostate cancer cells, delivering radiation directly to the tumors while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. It is provided under Israel's health basket without hospitalization and is primarily intended for patients whose metastatic prostate cancer has progressed despite hormonal or chemotherapy treatments.

Dr. Israel Sandler, head of the nuclear medicine institute at Ziv, explained that while the treatment usually slows disease progression and improves quality of life, Klein's complete remission is rare. The therapy was planned and monitored using the advanced Veriton SPECT imaging system, the only one of its kind in Israel, enabling precise targeting and follow-up.

Klein expressed deep emotion upon learning his cancer was undetectable, urging men to undergo early blood testing for prostate cancer to save lives. His wife, Rivka Klein, emphasized the importance of public awareness about this treatment option available at Ziv Medical Center. Professor Salman Zarka, director of Ziv Medical Center, highlighted that launching this service in northern Israel aims to provide advanced medical care to peripheral populations, sparing patients from traveling to central Israel for innovative treatments.