When ‘Dilbert’ creator Scott Adams publicly appealed for help accessing a life-extending cancer treatment, the story gained national attention — and raised questions about the drug itself. Adams, 67, recently revealed that he has an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread beyond the prostate and no longer responds to standard therapies.
In a post on Sunday, Adams asked President Donald Trump to help him access Pluvicto, a newly approved drug that aims to slow the disease’s progression. He noted that his healthcare provider, Kaiser Permanente, had approved his application to receive the drug but had failed to schedule the necessary IV administration. He urged Trump to intervene to secure a timely treatment, stating, ‘I will ask President Trump if he can get Kaiser of Northern California to respond and schedule it for Monday. That will give me a fighting chance to stick around on this planet a little bit longer.’
Trump shared a screenshot of Adams’ post on Truth Social with the comment, ‘On it!’ This incident has once again raised concerns about the accessibility of FDA-approved treatments and the role of political figures in addressing such issues. While the White House and Adams did not immediately respond to requests for comments, the attention on his case has sparked conversations about the broader healthcare access challenges for cancer patients in the United States.
Pluvicto, developed by Novartis AG, is a targeted radiation therapy that delivers ionizing radiation directly to tumor cells, minimizing damage to healthy tissues. It is the only radioligand therapy approved for prostate cancer, offering an alternative to traditional treatments such as chemotherapy. Clinical trials have shown that Pluvicto can improve symptoms and extend survival, though it is administered via IV infusion every six weeks for up to six doses, depending on the patient’s response and disease progression.
While the drug is effective, its availability is limited to specific healthcare facilities equipped to handle its radioactive properties. Shortages of the required radioactive material have been reported in the past but have since improved. The drug’s specialized nature means it is not available in every oncologist’s office, raising concerns about the infrastructure needed to deliver such treatments to patients in need.
Adams’ case appears to have been more about scheduling challenges than an issue with the drug’s availability. Dr. Alan Bryce, a medical oncologist at City of Hope, suggested that the problem might reflect limitations of the local medical infrastructure and the importance of efficient systems in delivering care. He emphasized that Pluvicto can be a beneficial treatment option for patients who have already received hormone-blocking drugs and taxane-based chemotherapy.
In addition to the challenges of access and scheduling, Pluvicto, like any cancer treatment, comes with potential side effects, including fatigue, dry mouth, nausea, and back pain. While most are mild to moderate, some patients may experience more severe side effects, such as kidney injury or blood clots, which require careful monitoring. The drug must be handled with caution due to its radioactive nature, which necessitates a controlled environment for administration and storage.
Overall, Adams’ plea for access to Pluvicto highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring that patients with advanced prostate cancer can receive the latest and most effective treatments. While the drug offers promising outcomes for patients, its accessibility remains a critical issue that requires continued attention from healthcare providers and policymakers.