Doctors in India now have a powerful new tool to fight advanced prostate cancer that acts like a GPS-guided missile. Novartis has launched a first-of-its-kind treatment called Pluvicto, designed to find and destroy cancer cells while leaving the healthy parts of the body alone.
A Growing Health Crisis
This breakthrough comes at a critical time, as prostate cancer is now one of the fastest-growing cancers among Indian men. Every year, more than 250,000 new cases are reported, but there is a worrying trend: about half of these patients only find out they have cancer after it has already spread to other parts of the body. For these men, traditional treatments often aren’t enough, making the need for new options more urgent than ever.
How the “Search and Destroy” Therapy Works
The new treatment, known as radioligand therapy, is different from standard chemotherapy. It is given through an IV and travels through the blood to find a specific “marker” found on most prostate cancer cells.
Once it finds a cancer cell, it latches on and delivers a tiny, precise dose of radiation directly into the tumor. Because it is so targeted, it minimizes damage to healthy tissues, which can mean fewer side effects for the patient.
Better Life, Not Just Longer Life
The company claimed that in major medical studies, this therapy has shown it can significantly lower the risk of death and stop the cancer from spreading further. Most importantly for families, it has been shown to improve the quality of life for patients, helping them feel better while undergoing treatment.
Bringing Global Innovation to India
Novartis, which has been working in India since 1947, is importing this medicine from high-quality facilities in Spain and Italy. The company says India is a top priority, and they are working with more than 250 specialized medical centers across the country to make sure patients can get this treatment.
“We are bringing a globally recognised treatment to India at a time when it is needed most,” said Amitabh Dube, head of Novartis India. The goal is to build a network of hospitals and specialists so that men across the country can access this life-saving technology.
Judith Love, Region Head Asia Pacific Middle East Africa, Novartis, said, “The introduction of Pluvicto marks a meaningful step forward – bringing globally approved innovation closer to patients who need more targeted treatment options. What makes this launch especially impactful is not just the science, but the opportunity to expand access through India’s growing nuclear medicine infrastructure.”