Novartis announced on Sunday (31/5/2026) that early data from its experimental medicine based on actin showed signs of anticancer activity against it prostate cancerincluding patients previously treated with its older drug, Pluvicto, as reported by Reuters.
Data from a study of 101 patients showed that 52.5% of those previously treated with Pluvicto saw their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels drop by at least half when they received the actinium-based drug. Elevated PSA levels are a common marker for prostate cancer.
Response rates were even higher in prostate cancer patients who had not previously received Pluvicto. More than 85% of patients in the trial who had received no prior treatment, as well as 58.8% of those who had received chemotherapy first, saw their PSA levels drop by half, according to data presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference in Chicago.
According to Reuters, response rates were even higher in prostate cancer patients who had not previously received Pluvicto.
Novartis Chief Medical Officer Shreeram Aradhye said more trials will be needed to fully assess side effects (including severe anemia, dry mouth) as well, especially if the drug is used in earlier stages of treatment.
The Swiss pharmaceutical industry is increasing its bet on radioligand therapies, which deliver radiation directly to cancer cells, and is already moving forward with two end-stage studies (Phase III) for this experimental drug.
