Jaslok Hospital Makes History with First-of-its-Kind Lutetium Therapy Saving Terminal Prostate Cancer Patient
Jaslok Hospital’s expert team took on this complex case involving a critically low platelet count of 7,000.
Through meticulous care and innovative treatment, they helped the patient regain strength and resume everyday activities.
Dr Vikram Lele, Mrs Roshni Vaidya, Mr Vinay Vaidya & Dr Jeyhan Dhabhar
In a first-of-its-kind case boosting the role of nuclear medicine in advanced cancer care, Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre has successfully treated a 66-year-old man suffering from advanced metastatic prostate cancer, delivering hope where none remained. When conventional therapies failed and he was given just months to live, doctors at Jaslok Hospital turned to lutetium therapy and changed the course of his recovery.
After multiple lines of hormonal therapy and at least three chemotherapies failed to halt disease progression, the patient faced a critical condition. His cancer had spread extensively in the bone marrow, the vital factory for blood cell production, leading to dangerously low haemoglobin and platelet levels. This caused frequent transfusion dependency, and he was advised to pursue only supportive and palliative care, with limited life expectancy.
Refusing to give up hope, the patient approached Jaslok Hospital. Under the expert care of Dr. Jeyhan Dhabhar and Dr. Vikram Lele the hospital took on this complex case. Despite the patient’s platelet count being a critically low 7,000, far below the accepted threshold for lutetium therapy at most centres, the team optimized his condition through extensive supportive care and blood product transfusions.
“Patients with platelet counts below 50,000 are usually deemed ineligible for lutetium therapy,” explained Dr. Jeyhan Dhabhar, Consultant Medical Oncology, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre. “Taking on a patient with such a low count was unprecedented and involved careful risk assessment and planning. We clearly communicated to the patient that this was a novel approach, yet it represented the best chance for meaningful treatment.”
“This case exemplifies the power of innovation combined with personalised care,” said Dr. Vikram Lele, Director of Nuclear Medicine Department, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre. “By pushing the boundaries of conventional treatment protocols and tailoring therapy to the patient’s unique condition, we have opened new avenues for those previously considered untreatable. It’s a testament to what multidisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge technology can achieve in modern oncology.
Dr. Milind Khadke, Chief Medical Officer, shared: "This was not just a medical challenge, it was a test of trust, innovation, and determination. The patient came to us when all other options had been exhausted, and his condition was considered too critical for advanced therapies. Despite the risks, our team made a conscious decision to stand by him and deliver the best care possible. It is moments like these that define who we are at Jaslok, where hope meets expertise, and no patient is ever turned away when there’s even the slightest chance to heal."
The patient has now undergone two successful cycles of lutetium therapy. His prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a key marker of cancer activity, has reduced from over a hundred to less than 1
Remarkably, he no longer requires platelet transfusions, the last one having been over a month ago, and has resumed his daily activities and work.
Expressing his gratitude, Mr Vinay Vaidya shared, “For years, I struggled with relentless pain and underwent numerous treatments including 20 chemotheraphy cycles that brought little to no relief. Many had given up on me, but Jaslok Hospital offered a ray of hope when I needed it most. The care, dedication, and expertise of Dr. Dhabhar, Dr. Lele, and the entire team have truly transformed my life. Today, I am able to live my daily life with renewed confidence and optimism.”
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