Novartis Drug Pluvicto Cuts Prostate Cancer Progression Risk by 28% in Major Trial

Novartis said its cancer drug Pluvicto has reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 28% in men with an advanced form of prostate cancer. The findings come from a large Phase III clinical trial.

The study focused on men with PSMA-positive metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. These patients received Pluvicto along with standard hormone-based therapy. Their results were compared with patients who received only standard treatment.

Researchers reported a hazard ratio of 0.72, which means Pluvicto patients had slower disease progression or lower risk of dying during the trial period. There was also a positive trend toward better overall survival, though full survival data is still being collected.

Pluvicto is a radioligand therapy. It works by delivering tiny radioactive particles straight to cancer cells that carry a protein called PSMA. This targeted approach kills cancer cells while limiting damage to healthy tissue.

Novartis plans to apply for regulatory approval to expand the use of Pluvicto to this earlier stage of prostate cancer. Currently, the drug is only approved for patients with a more advanced stage known as castration-resistant prostate cancer.

If approved for wider use, Pluvicto could reach many more patients and become a key treatment option earlier in the disease. Cancer specialists say the results are significant and could change treatment guidelines in the coming years.

Novartis said it will continue to track patient outcomes to confirm long-term survival benefits.