13.7 C
Kawartha Lakes
Saturday, February 15, 2025
No menu items!
HomeHealth and LifestyleOntario First In Canada To Administer New Publicly Funded Advanced Prostate Cancer...

Ontario First In Canada To Administer New Publicly Funded Advanced Prostate Cancer Treatment

ONTARIO-The Ontario government is the first Canadian jurisdiction to publicly fund and administer PLUVICTOTM a new treatment for advanced-stage prostate cancer, which is now covered under the province’s publicly funded drug program.

“Our government is giving people access to more treatment options by expanding public access to new medications and treatments,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “We are excited to celebrate the administration of the first dose of PLUVICTOTM in partnership with London Health Sciences Centre, as one more way our government is connecting more people to the care they need when they need it.”

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in Canada, affecting 1 in 9 men during their lifetime. PLUVICTOTM is a targeted radioligand therapy that utilizes lutetium-177, a medical isotope, in combination with a targeting compound, ligand, to treat advanced prostate cancer. The province says it is working with hospital partners to implement PLUVICTOTM as a standard treatment for those with advanced-stage prostate cancer. Over the coming months, it is anticipated PLUVICTOTM will be available for eligible patients at most of Ontario’s Cancer Treatment Centres.

In 2022, Bruce Power’s Unit 7 became the first power reactor in the world to produce lutetium-177. Through the installation of a second isotope production line at the Bruce nuclear station, the province is taking action to double the production of lutetium-177 at the Bruce site to help meet growing demand.

“Our government is proud to be the first in Canada to administer a publicly funded dose of PLUVICTOTM, a lifesaving treatment for advanced-stage prostate cancer, now publicly funded for patients across Ontario,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification. “With over 247,000 Canadians diagnosed with cancer each year, including in my own family, this groundbreaking initiative highlights Ontario’s nuclear leadership in medical isotope production and ensures that patients have access to cutting-edge care that will save lives.”

 

Don't forget to sign up for our morning newsletter.

Catch up on all the local news while enjoying your coffee.

Most Popular

Kawartha 411