Client Story
How PHM helped a doctor navigate cancer with a new cutting-edge treatment available only overseas.
Dr. O’Brian was initially diagnosed with prostate cancer more than two decades ago. His prostate was surgically removed, and he was treated with hormonal therapy to help prevent recurrence.
New treatments beat the cancer back each time it recurred for years, until his prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels surged, and imaging showed cancer in lymph nodes and bones, typically a dismal prognosis.
After chemotherapy and radiation, he still had a significant rise in PSA. With few options left, Dr. O’Brian’s oncologist recommended an early-stage clinical trial. Dr. O’Brian knew he needed more focused and dedicated care. In August 2021, he engaged PHM.
Dr. O’Brian’s PHM Personal Care Team advised that the proposed clinical trial drug was still in the early stages and lacked sufficient safety and efficacy data. Together, they created an alternate plan for a cutting-edge treatment called targeted radioligand therapy (PRLT). However, he did not qualify for the U.S. clinical trial.
Thinking Outside the (Geographic) BoundariesPHM engaged an expert oncologist in Germany with deep experience in PRLT. Dr. O’Brian’s treatment was even more forward-thinking given his advanced disease state. For his second treatment, Dr. O’Brian received tandem-PRLT, which included two types of toxic radioactive molecules. This dual therapy has only been given to a small number of patients in the world. In the U.S., tandem-PRLT is not approved and not accessible through clinical trials.
After his second treatment, Dr. O’Brian’s PSA biomarker dropped substantially, and imaging results showed a significant reduction in his overall disease burden.
When Dr. O’Brian came to PHM, he had been suffering with prostate cancer for more than 20 years, and his prognosis and outlook on life were poor. Today, at 70 years old, his health is returning. While Dr. O’Brian’s journey is not yet done, PHM is helping him understand his options and plan his next steps using the latest science-backed data and research. With PHM at his side, Dr. O’Brian can look to a future he once believed was gone with both confidence and hope.
“I’m grateful to the entire team at PHM. After my progression … and seeing my rising PSA numbers, I did not think I would make it through the New Year. Now, I am feeling great and much more optimistic about dealing with this disease.”
To learn more about how PHM might help you or a loved one facing a serious or complex medical issue, please contact us.
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