By Magdalene Wanja - Editor
Kenya, 18 November 2025 - Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) has become the first public hospital in the region to offer a revolutionary treatment for advanced prostate cancer.
The new therapy, known as Lutetium-177 PSMA, gives fresh hope to patients whose cancer no longer responds to standard medicines.
The treatment works by attaching Lutetium-177, a radioactive isotope, to a special molecule that seeks out prostate cancer cells.
These cancer cells carry a protein called Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) on their surface and this molecule with an isotope binds only to this protein.
The isotope delivers radiation straight to the malignant cells while sparing healthy tissue.
Patients feel fewer side effects compared with traditional hormone therapy and chemotherapy.
Many men with advanced or spreading prostate cancer have run out of options after hormone therapy stops working.
For them, this new treatment can slow the disease and extend life.
KUTRRH Chief Executive Officer Zeinab Gura, welcomed the breakthrough.
“This advancement reflects KUTRRH unwavering commitment to delivering world-class cancer care within a public institution," said Dr Gura.
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Patients can now access life-extending, personalised treatment in the country, close to their familie, without the burden of travelling abroad.
Before starting the therapy, every targeted patient has a special PSMA scan to confirm the cancer will respond to the treatment.
Dr Elizabeth Itotia, Kenya’s first qualified female nuclear pharmacist and part of the team delivering the service, called the launch “a great milestone”.
She added that offering such advanced care in a public hospital opens the door to many more possibilities for Kenyan patients.
A handful of private hospitals in the country already provide Lutetium-177 PSMA therapy, but the high cost puts it beyond the reach of most people.
By introducing it at KUTRRH, the treatment is now within reach of ordinary citizens through the public health system.
The hospital continues to invest in modern oncology technologies, ensuring more Kenyans can benefit from the latest medical advances without leaving the country.
Lutetium-177 PSMA therapy is recommended for individuals with advanced or metastatic prostate cancer, especially those who experience unusual side-effects or see no improvement while on hormone therapy or are unable to tolerate chemotherapy.
