Theranostics - Alan Held's Prostate Cancer Story
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| Alan Held's PSMA Ga68 Scan at Diagnosis |
Theranostics
Summary
1. Patient Story - Alan Held:
- Diagnosed with stage-four prostate cancer at age 64 in September 2018.
- Initial scans showed over 100 metastases throughout his body, particularly in his bones.
- Conventional treatments (hormone therapy and chemotherapy) were not fully effective.
- His son, Josh, researched alternative treatments and discovered theranostics in Germany.
- Alan traveled to Germany for treatment in September 2019, December 2019, and a few months later.
- After three treatments, most of his cancer was eliminated.
- Nearly two years post-treatment, only three small dormant spots remain in his body.
2. Theranostics Treatment Process:
- Combines diagnostics and therapeutics.
- Diagnostic phase: Prostate-specific cancer marker molecules are injected to locate tumors.
- Treatment phase: Molecular-targeted liquid radiation is administered via IV to destroy cancer cells.
- Highly precise, targeting only cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.
- Minimal side effects compared to traditional treatments.
3. Treatment Location and Effectiveness:
- Alan received treatment at the Center Clinic in Bad Berka, Germany.
- After the first treatment, 80% of his metastases had vanished.
- Subsequent treatments further reduced tumors.
- Thousands of men have been successfully treated in Germany over the past decade.
4. Medical Professional Involvement:
- Dr. Frankis Almaguel, Director of Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics Research at Loma Linda University Cancer Center, is leading efforts to bring theranostics to the U.S.
- He has worked with over 100 prostate cancer patients since 2018.
- Dr. Almaguel provided support and expertise during Alan's treatment in Germany.
5. Current Status and Availability:
- Widely available in Germany.
- In clinical trials in the United States.
- FDA approval was expected soon, potentially by early 2022 (as of the 2021 article).
- Loma Linda University Cancer Center was preparing to offer the treatment once approved.
6. Future Potential:
- May be adaptable to other types of cancer, such as breast cancer and glioblastomas.
- Represents a shift towards more personalized and precise cancer therapies.
- Offers hope for improved outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients.
7. Impact on Cancer Treatment:
- Theranostics is seen as a revolution in cancer treatment, offering a more targeted approach.
- It aims to replace the trial-and-error approach of conventional treatments.
- Provides new hope for patients with advanced or metastatic prostate cancer.
This provides a more detailed account of his experience and the potential impact of this innovative approach to cancer treatment.
Frankis Almaguel, MD, PhD
Frankis Almaguel, a Nuclear Oncologist at Loma Linda University Cancer Center, leads the Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics Program.
Specializing in prostate cancer, his expertise in Radiology, Nuclear Oncology, and Theranostics informs his cutting-edge patient care and research.
Introducing Theranostics
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Theranostics means personalized cancer treatment: targeted and effective.
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Imaging - at the molecular level - provides specific and superior diagnosis.
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Dramatically fewer side effects than alternative treatment options.
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Precision targeting: Focusing on cancer cells means less damage to healthy tissue.
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Optimized care: treatment is customized, based on the specific type of tumor.
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Elevated experience: Enjoy compassionate, client-focused attention from start to finish.
Breakthrough in Prostate Cancer Treatment
1. Patient Story:
- Alan Held, 64, was diagnosed with stage-four prostate cancer in September 2018.
- After conventional treatments weren't fully effective, he traveled to Germany for theranostics treatment in September 2019.
- After three treatments, most of his cancer was eliminated.
2. Theranostics Treatment:
- Combines diagnostics and therapeutics.
- Uses molecular-targeted liquid radiation to find and destroy cancer cells.
- Highly precise, targeting only cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.
- Has minimal side effects compared to traditional treatments.
3. Medical Professional Involvement:
- Dr. Frankis Almaguel, Director of Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics Research at Loma Linda University Cancer Center, is leading efforts to bring theranostics to the U.S.
- He has worked with over 100 prostate cancer patients since 2018.
4. Treatment Availability:
- Theranostics has been successfully used in Germany for about a decade.
- It's currently in clinical trials in the U.S.
- FDA approval is expected soon, possibly by early 2022.
- Loma Linda University Cancer Center is prepared to offer the treatment once approved.
5. Future Potential:
- Dr. Almaguel is developing molecules to potentially treat breast cancer and glioblastomas using similar techniques.
- Theranostics is seen as a powerful new tool in the fight against cancer.
6. Current Situation for U.S. Patients:
- Some patients, like Held, are traveling to Germany for treatment.
- Loma Linda can currently perform the diagnostic part of theranostics, which is often covered by insurance.
The article presents theranostics as a groundbreaking approach to cancer treatment, offering new hope for prostate cancer patients and potentially for other types of cancer in the future.
Molecular Imaging & Therapeutics Research Program - Cancer Center | Loma Linda University Health
The Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics Research Program strives to develop previously impossible precision medicine tools for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The program unifies the use of clinically relevant biomarkers and novel therapeutic strategies to achieve better outcomes in personalized cancer care.
Molecular Imaging & Targeted Therapies
Molecular imaging techniques allow us to find cancer cells in a patient’s body that exhibit specific biomarkers. These biomarkers can be targeted with unique medications, maximizing the destruction of cancer cells.
With regular scanning, a patient’s cancer can be tracked as it migrates and gains or loses mutations. In this way, we can modify the treatment as soon as mutations occur rather than wait for clinical failure of current medications.
Targeted therapies show unique promise for the personalized treatment of cancer. Both the targeting vehicle and the therapy agent can be specifically tailored to the individual patient.
Goals
The program is built around finding new targeted medications that have imaging correlates. These correlates tell us whether a targeted agent will bind to a tumor and kill it. When used in concert, targeted drug treatments and molecular imaging support our ultimate goal: better cancer treatment for our patients.
The program also nurtures Loma Linda University Cancer Center's efforts to translate research directly into patient benefits. New targeted therapies from our research labs are turned into clinical trials that can have enormous impacts on our patients’ cancer care.
Future Goals
Looking forward, the program is positioned to conduct some of the most compelling cancer research anywhere. One of our future goals is to develop molecular imaging techniques that detect cancer near its “pre-disease” state. This advanced imaging modality may provide some of the earliest cancer detection possible, driving precision health and leading to new treatments and higher survival rates.
What Our Researchers Are Saying
“I am convinced that molecular imaging will lead to early diagnostic interventions, enhanced non-invasive personalized therapies and improved patient outcomes.”
Research & Clinical Trials
Our researchers work to discover medications for the cancer mutations we know can be found with imaging techniques. Their work is supported through funding of the program and then expanded through clinical trials. Research is also aided by our Institute for Genetics and Translational Genomics, whose help is crucial to breakthroughs in molecular imaging.
The program benefits tremendously from our current inhouse imaging infrastructure, particularly the use of PET scanners and cyclotrons. These machines offer significant capacity for new breakthroughs in molecular imaging and precision medicine. Further, they attract and enable new clinical trials for the benefit of our patients and community.
Alan Held’s Triumph Over Prostate Cancer: A Journey of Hope with Theranostics - Privado Health
Introduction
Alan Held's battle against prostate cancer is a remarkable testament to the power of perseverance, cutting-edge medical technology, and the unwavering support of family. Diagnosed at the age of 64 with stage-four prostate cancer that had metastasized extensively, Alan's story took an extraordinary turn when his son, Josh, discovered a promising treatment option called "theranostics" in Germany. In this blog post, we'll follow Alan's incredible journey through diagnosis, treatment abroad, and the groundbreaking theranostic approach that changed his life.
A Challenging Diagnosis
In September 2018, Alan Held received a devastating diagnosis: stage-four prostate cancer with over 100 metastases scattered throughout his body, particularly in his bones. The news was a heavy blow, but Alan was determined to confront the disease head-on. His medical journey began with hormone therapy and chemotherapy tablets, but the cancer persisted despite months of treatment.
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| Alan Held (left) and Dr. Frankis Almaguel |
The Search for Theranostics
With the cancer still present in his bones seven months into treatment, Alan's eldest son, Josh, embarked on a mission to find a more effective solution. His research led him to "theranostics," a groundbreaking treatment that combined diagnostics and therapy. The catch was that this promising treatment was available only in Germany. Undeterred, Josh decided to support his father's journey to access this innovative therapy.
A Journey Across Continents
In September 2019, Alan and his wife, Linda, embarked on a life-changing journey from their Vacaville home to Frankfurt, Germany. After a two-hour drive, they arrived at the Center Clinic in the scenic town of Bad Berka. It was a journey filled with hope and anticipation, driven by the belief that theranostics could provide the breakthrough Alan desperately needed.
Theranostics Unleashed
At the Center Clinic, doctors administered the revolutionary theranostic treatment. An IV in Alan's arm delivered molecular-targeted liquid radiation on a mission to seek and destroy cancer cells. This cutting-edge therapy offered a glimmer of hope to Alan, who had battled prostate cancer relentlessly.
Remarkable Progress
The results were nothing short of astonishing. A follow-up scan after the theranostic treatment revealed that an incredible 80 percent of the metastases had vanished. Alan's bones, once speckled with cancer, had transformed. The emotional impact of this progress was immeasurable.
A Journey of Healing
Alan returned to Germany for a second theranostic treatment in December 2019, which further reduced the tumors. A few months later, he flew back for a third treatment, each visit erasing more of the cancer. Nearly two years later, Alan has only three small dormant spots in his body, a testament to the transformative power of theranostics.
The Role of Dr. Frankis Almaguel
Dr. Frankis Almaguel, Director of Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics Research at Loma Linda University Cancer Center, played a pivotal role in Alan's journey. Dr. Almaguel had been working to bring theranostics to the United States and had patients flying to Germany for the treatment. His support, expertise, and prayers provided Alan with much-needed encouragement during his treatments.
The Promise of Theranostics
Theranostics represents a revolution in cancer treatment, combining diagnostics and therapy with remarkable precision. It begins with the diagnosis, where tiny molecules seek out cancer cells and bind to them, enabling doctors to pinpoint the disease's location. Then, these molecules transform into therapeutic agents, selectively destroying cancer cells with minimal side effects.
Conclusion
Alan Held's incredible journey through prostate cancer and theranostic treatment is a testament to the relentless pursuit of hope and innovation in the fight against cancer. His story, made possible by the unwavering support of his son and the groundbreaking theranostic approach, shines a light on the path to a brighter future in cancer treatment. Dr. Frankis Almaguel's efforts to bring theranostics to the United States offer promise and hope for countless individuals facing cancer. As theranostics advances, it brings us closer to a future where precision medicine replaces the trial-and-error approach, ensuring better outcomes and improved quality of life for cancer patients worldwide.
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