Sharp Memorial Hospital Adopted Pluvicto Cancer Treatment
San Diego medical staff now utilize a targeted radioactive therapy for men with advanced prostate cancer.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Cancer
Sharp Memorial Hospital has implemented a new treatment program for men suffering from stage 4 prostate cancer. The facility now offers Pluvicto, a medication that uses radioactive particles to target and destroy cancer cells.
Why it matters
The treatment provides a necessary alternative for patients whose cancer has progressed despite traditional hormone therapies. It allows doctors to deliver radiation directly to tumor sites while limiting harm to healthy tissue.
Pluvicto treatment requires a series of injections over a 6-week period, with each infusion taking approximately 2 minutes to administer. The hospital system currently serves approximately 10,000 men with prostate cancer.
The players
Sharp Memorial Hospital
This San Diego-based medical facility serves as a primary provider for specialized oncology treatments in the region.
Food and Drug Administration
This federal agency is responsible for protecting public health by ensuring the safety and efficacy of human drugs and medical devices.
Harry Chilton
He is an 83-year-old Navy veteran who is receiving treatment for stage 4 prostate cancer.
The details
The medication functions by traveling through the patient's body to identify and bind to malignant cells, delivering targeted radiation. This program was introduced in San Diego to assist patients like 83-year-old Navy veteran Harry Chilton.
Timeline
Sharp Memorial Hospital launched its Pluvicto program in 2025.
The FDA approved an expansion of the drug's use on July 31, 2026.
Harry Chilton began his treatment preparations in September 2026.
The Big Picture
The recent expansion of the drug's use follows the standard Food and Drug Administration's drug approval process for scaling access to specialized cancer therapies.
Patients may now access this radioactive infusion therapy locally in San Diego to manage advanced prostate cancer. Individuals should consult with their oncologists to determine if their specific cancer profile makes them a candidate for this radiation treatment.
The takeaway
Targeted radiation therapy represents an evolving standard of care for patients with metastatic conditions. Patients and families are encouraged to track treatment timelines closely given the specialized nature of the six-week injection regimen.
Further reading
Find more information on local oncology services in San Diego Cancer.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC 7 San Diego.
