St. Luke’s Medical Center and Oncidium Foundation Expand Hope in Cancer Care with First Lutetium-177 Donation in Southeast Asia

A patient from Bacolod (on bed) receives a donation of four doses of Lutetium-177 for her cancer treatment at St. Luke’s-Global City. She is flanked by St. Luke’s doctors and staff who celebrate her journey toward recovery.   

In a milestone for equitable healthcare in the region, St. Luke’s Medical Center has onboarded the very first patient in Southeast Asia to receive four complimentary doses of Lutetium-177 treatment through the Belgium-based Oncidium Foundation’s RLT-Connect Project. St. Luke's Medical Center is accredited as the first and only therapy center in the Philippines by the Oncidium Foundation for targeted radionuclide therapy.

The recipient, a patient from Bacolod, received targeted radionuclide therapy, an advanced treatment that offers new hope for cancer management. This life-changing opportunity was performed at St. Luke’s - Global City. 

Bridging the Gap in Precision Cancer Care

While advanced theranostics and radioligand treatments represent the frontier of oncology, financial barriers often limit patient access. The Oncidium Foundation’s RLT-Connect program works to dismantle these financial hurdles by connecting donated therapies with eligible patients worldwide. 

Reflecting on what this milestone means for Filipino families, Dr. Patricia A. Bautista-Peñalosa, Nuclear Medicine Training Officer at St. Luke’s Medical Center – Global City and Oncidium Foundation Ambassador for the Philippines, shared: 

"The Oncidium Foundation’s RLT-Connect project, along with its donors, is a blessing for financially constrained but otherwise good candidates for PRRT (Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy) and PRLT (Peptide Receptor Radioligand Therapy). This is a concrete step towards equitable healthcare, which is a dream in the Philippines, and I am proud that we are taking action at St. Luke’s. Volunteering for the Foundation is definitely worth it!" 

Radiopharmacists and radiochemists at St. Luke’s – Quezon City proudly show the synthesized Lutetium-177 DOTATATE, for Southeast Asia’s first recipient under the Oncidium Foundation’s RLT-Connect program.

Understanding Lutetium-177 Therapy

Lutetium-177 therapy (a form of Radioligand Therapy or RLT) works like a smart-guided molecule. The treatment attaches directly to specific proteins found on the surface of certain cancer cells—such as neuroendocrine tumors or advanced prostate cancer. Once bound to the cancer cell, it releases localized radiation that seeks to destroy the tumor from the inside while preserving the surrounding healthy tissue. 

Advanced Theranostics at St. Luke's Medical Center

As a premier destination for nuclear medicine and theranostics in the Philippines, St. Luke’s Medical Center combines compassionate care with world-class clinical expertise: 

• State-of-the-Art Imaging & Treatment Facilities: Equipped with high-precision PET/CT scanners for accurate diagnosis, our very own automated synthesizer, and dedicated therapeutic suites designed for maximum safety, comfort, and peace of mind. 

• Multidisciplinary Medical Team: Patient care is guided by a team of board-certified nuclear medicine physicians and medical physicists trained internationally in theranostics, along with medical and radiation oncologists, urologists, hematologists, gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, and others.

• Comprehensive Patient Care: From initial diagnostic staging to targeted radioligand administration and post-treatment recovery monitoring, our specialists are dedicated to your healing journey every step of the way. 

Through international partnerships and advanced nuclear medicine, St. Luke's continues to bring innovative cancer care closer to every Filipino family. 

A St. Luke’s – Quezon City radiochemist performs quality control testing on the donated Lutetium-177 dose for the beneficiary.

Take the Next Step in Your Cancer Care Journey

If you or a loved one wish to explore advanced targeted radiopharmaceutical therapies, consult with a St. Luke's Nuclear Medicine specialist today. For further inquiries, contact the St. Luke’s Medical Center Department of Nuclear Medicine and Theranostics at (+63-2) 8789-7700 ext. 1004 / 1152. (St. Luke’s-Global City) and (+63-2) 8723-0101 ext. 4151 (St. Luke’s-Quezon City).