New treatment methods are continuously being researched and developed in the fight against cancer. One of these methods is actinium treatment. Actinium forms the basis of a category of treatments known as targeted alpha therapies. This treatment works with a targeted approach by emitting alpha particles to cancer cells. Hospitals that apply actinium treatment offer a comprehensive and coordinated treatment approach to cancer patients through integrated oncology.
What is Actinium?
Actinium treatment is a cancer treatment method that falls under targeted alpha therapies. This treatment involves the use of drugs containing actinium-225. Actinium-225 is a radioactive element that targets cancer cells by emitting alpha particles. These particles enter cancer cells and directly target their DNA to kill the cell. This aims to eliminate cancer cells and reduce tumors. Actinium treatment can be particularly effective against aggressive types of cancer, such as metastatic prostate cancer. The treatment reaches cancer cells through a protein targeting agent known as PSMA. PSMA is a protein commonly found in prostate cancer cells. When actinium-225 binds to PSMA, it can settle into the cancer cell and release alpha particles. These particles penetrate the cancer cell and cause DNA damage, leading to cell death. This process can lead to the death of cancer cells and the reduction of tumors.
In Which Diseases is Actinium Preferred?
Recently, actinium has played an important role in cancer treatment and has attracted researchers’ attention. It is particularly preferred in aggressive types of cancer, such as prostate cancer metastases. Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the prostate gland and can spread to other parts of the body over time. Treatment options include surgical intervention, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy. However, in some cases, cancer may continue to progress or show resistance to treatment. Actinium treatment aims to target and eliminate prostate cancer cells. This treatment is carried out using a substance called actinium-225. Actinium-225 is a radioactive element that forms the basis of a category of treatments known as targeted alpha therapies.
Actinium-225 targets a specific protein to reach prostate cancer cells. This protein is commonly found in prostate cancer cells and can bind with PSMA. When actinium-225 binds with PSMA, it settles into the cancer cell. At this stage, actinium-225 releases alpha particles. Alpha particles are small particles with very high energy that can penetrate the cancer cell. These particles damage the DNA of the cancer cell and cause cell death. This process can lead to the elimination of cancer cells and the reduction of tumors. Since actinium treatment can deliver a very high dose of radiation over a very short distance, it affects only the targeted cancer cells without harming other cells. This also allows the treatment to have fewer side effects.
How is Actinium Treatment Administered?
The treatment is carried out in specialized radionuclide therapy centers. These centers, equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, allow for the application of targeted radioactive therapies such as actinium treatment. In actinium treatment, a catheter is placed through a vein to safely inject the radiopharmaceutical containing actinium-225 into the body. Before the injection, actinium-225 must be carefully prepared in a laboratory setting. The prepared actinium-225 is combined with various molecules such as PSMA to create a customized drug form for each patient. The injection process usually takes a very short time. However, the patient needs to lie down for a while longer to ensure effective circulation of the radioactive substance in the body. This process is important for the patient’s comfort and the success of the treatment.
What is the Preparation Process Before Actinium Treatment?
Actinium treatment is an effective treatment option for various cancers, such as advanced prostate and neuroendocrine neoplasms. Before starting treatment, the patient’s overall health status and the stage of cancer are carefully evaluated. The assessment of the patient includes various tests. Blood tests, imaging tests, and biopsies provide more information about the status of the cancer. This information plays an important role in creating the treatment plan. The preparation process for actinium treatment includes steps such as the preparation of actinium-225 in a laboratory setting and the creation of the treatment plan. The treatment plan is determined based on the stage of the cancer and the patient’s overall health status. The patient is informed about the details of the treatment, and their consent is obtained before starting treatment. The patient’s health status is closely monitored during and after the treatment, and the treatment plan is revised if necessary.
What Should Be Considered After Actinium Treatment?
After actinium treatment, doctors closely monitor the patient’s health status. This monitoring process is important to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment and identify possible side effects. Regular check-ups are conducted to ensure the patient’s health is secure. At the same time, actinium treatment may cause some side effects. These side effects may include symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. If these symptoms occur, it is important for the patient to consult their doctor immediately. The doctor can provide appropriate treatment or supportive measures. Radiation safety precautions should also be observed during and after the treatment. After treatment, the patient’s immune system may weaken.
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers to frequently asked questions provide information about actinium treatment. However, remember that every patient and situation is different. Therefore, it is important to consult your doctor about treatment options and effects.
What is Actinium Used For?
Actinium is a radioactive element used in the treatment of various cancers as actinium-225 in medicine. It is especially used in targeted alpha therapies. In this treatment method, actinium targets and kills cancer cells thanks to its radioactive properties. The radioactive properties of actinium provide a targeted approach that minimizes damage to healthy tissues while directly harming cancer cells. Thus, it is considered an effective option used in cancer treatment.
Who Can Receive Actinium Treatment?
Actinium treatment is considered an option for patients with advanced-stage cancer. However, the treatment plan may differ for each patient, and doctors evaluate the treatment based on the patient’s overall health status. The applicability of actinium treatment may vary for each patient, and the treatment plan always depends on the patient’s overall health status, the type of cancer, the degree of spread, and other individual factors. Candidates for actinium treatment are generally considered in the following situations:
- Patients for whom other treatment options have failed or been ineffective.
- Patients with advanced-stage cancer whose cancer tumors have metastasized.
- Patients requiring targeted alpha therapy for a specific type of cancer.
- Situations where surgical removal of tumors is not possible.
How Does Actinium Treatment Affect Cancer Cells?
Actinium enters cancer cells by emitting alpha radiation and causes damage. This leads to the death of cancer cells and the reduction of tumors. Actinium provides treatment by directly affecting cancer cells, especially in targeted alpha therapies. The alpha rays emitted by actinium directly damage the DNA of the cancer cell. This causes the death of the cancer cell by creating cross-links in the DNA or breaking it apart.
How is Actinium Treatment Planned?
Actinium treatment is planned in detail by a specialized healthcare team. A treatment plan is created considering the patient’s overall health status, the stage of cancer, and other treatment options. Several doses may be required during the treatment process. However, the timing of these doses and the duration of applications may vary among patients. Therefore, a highly specific plan is created for the patient with a multidisciplinary approach in a comprehensive center. When creating this plan, the patient’s current age and health status are important. At the same time, the stage of cancer and the level of metastasis should also be examined. When actinium-225 enters the body, it can recognize and affect all prostate cancer cells.
Which Doctor Administers Actinium Treatment?
Cancer diagnosis is made by various doctors based on pathological results. However, actinium treatment is administered by nuclear medicine doctors. Nuclear medicine specialists are medical professionals specialized in areas such as medical imaging and radionuclide therapies. Throughout their careers, these doctors typically have extensive experience in radiopharmaceuticals, radiopharmacology, and nuclear medicine techniques. These doctors work with radioactive drugs to guide patients’ diagnoses and treatments while also using nuclear medicine technologies to monitor patients’ health status. Managing and administering targeted radioactive treatments like actinium treatment also falls within these doctors’ areas of expertise.
Does Actinium Treatment Have Side Effects?
The side effects of actinium treatment may vary from person to person and can change during the response to treatment. Patients are usually informed about these possible side effects before treatment, and appropriate supportive treatments are provided. Possible side effects include:
- Fatigue and tiredness,
- Nausea and vomiting,
- Loss of appetite,
- Changes in blood values,
- Loss of function in salivary and tear glands,
- Low blood values.
Actinium treatment can be used, especially in patients resistant to other treatment options or those with metastatic prostate cancer. However, like any treatment method, actinium treatment may also have side effects and risks. Therefore, it is important to discuss treatment options in detail with your doctor.
