Pain relief with alendronate therapy in a breast cancer patient with bone metastasis

A 66-year-old woman developed a bone metastasis from breast cancer to the sternum in September, 1997. She received alendronate therapy, consisting of biweekly intravenous administrations of 10 mg-alendronate 6 times and monthly 20 mg-alendronate infusions 15 times. The first alendronate administration markedly alleviated her bone pain. She obtained complete pain relief after the 4th alendronate infusion. However, an elevation of tumor marker levels in serum without any pain increase forced us to treat her with medroxyprogesterone acetate and doxifluridine in addition to the alendronate therapy. With these therapies, she has shown an objective response (PR) of the bone metastasis for 8 months. In conclusion, alendronate therapy was effective against bone pain due to metastasis of breast cancer.     

Study on the safety of rapid infusion and the efficacy of incadronate against bone metastasis of breast cancer]

To assess the safety of rapid infusion of incadronate and its efficacy against bone metastasis of breast cancer, we conducted a trial using incadronate therapy for breast cancer patients with bone metastasis. Of the 12 patients, 6 had undergone pamidronate or alendronate therapy. Rapid infusion of incadronate consisted of administration of 10 mg incadronate diluted in 100 ml saline in 30 minutes, and was repeated every two weeks. Each patient underwent 2 to 20 incadronate administrations. With the incadronate therapy, no patients showed hypocalcemia, but 3 patients showed asymptomatic hypophosphoremia. Of the 11 patients with bone pain, 5 patients (45%) experienced pain relief. A decrease in tumor marker levels in serum was found in 5 (56%) of the 9 patients with elevated marker levels. The side effects of incadronate administration were general fatigue (25%), pyrexia (17%) and transient pain increase (17%), but no renal dysfunction was found. In conclusion, rapid infusion of incadronate was a safe treatment and the incadronate therapy was effective against bone metastasis of breast cancer.     

Bisphosphonate therapy for bone metastases from Breast Cancer: Clinical results and a new therapeutic approach

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the usefulness of bisphosphonate (BIS) monotherapy, the safety of rapid infusion of BIS and the efficacy of BIS-sequential therapy for bone metastases from breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with bone metastasis or invasion were treated with BIS monotherapy. Each BIS (pamidronate 30 mg, alendronate 10 mg, or incadronate 10 mg) was infused over 30 minutes every two weeks a median of 12 times. RESULTS: With BIS therapy, five patients (17%) showed partial response of the bone lesions, and eighteen patients (64%) had pain relief. Of the nine patients treated with BIS-sequential therapy, one (11%) showed a partial response of the bone metastases, three (33%) had pain relief, and one (11%) showed a decrease in the serum tumor marker level. CONCLUSION: BIS therapy is effective against bone metastases from breast cancer, and rapid infusion of BIS is both safe and convenient for patients. BIS-sequential therapy can be a unique therapeutic option in some cases.     

~(89)Sr治疗骨转移癌疼痛研究

 目的　评价放射性核素89锶 (89Sr)对骨转移癌的止痛疗效和不良反应 ,并探讨其在癌性骨痛治疗中的应用范围。方法　观察 35例骨转移癌患者使用89Sr治疗后的止痛疗效、肿瘤标记物水平的变化、不良反应及血液学毒副反应。结果　89Sr止痛总有效率为 71 .4 % ,其中来源于前列腺癌和乳腺癌的骨转移癌患者有效率达到 80 .0 %。少数肿瘤标记物水平有下降。副反应主要为轻度可逆性的骨髓造血功能损害。89Sr对血生化无明显不良影响。结论　89Sr是治疗骨转移癌疼痛的一种安全有效的方法     

188 Re-羟乙基二膦酸与帕米膦酸二钠联合治疗乳腺癌骨转移的临床价值

目的探讨188Re-羟乙基二膦酸(188Re-HEDP)联合帕米膦酸二钠治疗乳腺癌骨转移的临床价值.方法48例乳腺癌多发骨转移患者随机分为3组,分别接受188Re-HEDP、帕米膦酸二钠的单独治疗及两者的联合治疗.结果188Re-HEDP组、帕米膦酸二钠组、联合治疗组止痛有效率分别为73.3%、80.0%和100.0%;骨转移病灶控制有效率分别为40.0%、33.3%和66.7%.联合治疗组疗效明显高于188Re-HEDP组和帕米膦酸二钠组(P均＜0.05),而188Re-HEDP组与帕米膦酸二钠组间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论188Re-HEDP联合帕米膦酸二钠治疗乳腺癌骨转移,在止痛、骨转移病灶控制方面疗效明显,优于各药单药治疗.     

Metabolic effects of pamidronate in patients with metastatic bone disease.

We have evaluated the value of specific bone resorption markers in monitoring metastatic bone disease to define the duration of action of a single high-dose pamidronate infusion. Twenty patients received a single infusion of pamidronate 120 mg for painful bone metastases. Ten out of these 20 patients also received a second infusion. They were evaluated at baseline, 2, 4 and 8 weeks after each infusion. A composite pain questionnaire, serum and urine tests were carried out at these time points. Bone resorption markers measured included urinary calcium, hydroxyproline and two new markers: pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline. Reference values were defined by 20 healthy controls matched by age and sex. Pamidronate induced a profound fall in bone resorption with a maximal effect within the first month after therapy. Changes in urinary calcium levels were confounded by a rise of 100% in the parathyroid hormone levels. Before treatment, pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline were increased in 70% of patients, while urinary calcium was increased in only 40% of them. Thirteen patients had a > or = 50% fall in deoxypyridinoline levels and were considered as biochemical responders. These patients had a mean reduction in pain score of about 30% of baseline levels, which was significantly higher than the seven non-biochemical responders. In conclusion, urinary calcium is not a precise marker of bone resorption. Deoxypyridinoline seems to be the most specific bone resorption marker in cancer patients. Biochemical responders have the most benefit from pamidronate in terms of pain relief. This suggests that patients may benefit from more potent or repeated infusions of bisphosphonates.     

Two bedridden patients with bone metastases from breast cancer effectively treated with pamidronate therapy

Case 1: A 43-year-old woman underwent mastectomy because of locally advanced breast cancer with multiple bone metastases. She was treated with CMF therapy but developed a compression fracture of a thoracic vertebra after 10 months and received pamidronate therapy. Pamidronate administration relived her back pain after 2 months and she was able to walk again after 3 months. However, she developed a resistance to the treatment, and then refused another treatment. She was found to have hypercalcemia 6 months later and received pamidronate again, but died 9 months after the treatment. Case 2: A 52-year-old woman underwent mastectomy because of breast cancer (T2) and was diagnosed as having multiple bone metastases 24 months after the operation. She could not turn over in bed due to progressing bone pain and received pamidronate therapy with CMF therapy at home 23 months after the diagnosis. After 2 months, pamidronate administration relieved her bone pain and she was free of pain after 4 months. After 5 months, X-rays revealed that lytic lesions showed sclerosis, and the pamidronate therapy was assessed as producing a PR. Pamidronate therapy improved her quality of life and activities of daily living, and she continues to receive it this time as an outpatient. Pamidronate therapy is promising as an effective treatment for bedridden patients with bone metastasis from breast cancer.     

唑来膦酸治疗恶性肿瘤骨转移引起疼痛的疗效分析

为了探讨唑来膦酸治疗骨转移引起疼痛的效果和不良反应,将恶性肿瘤骨转移引起疼痛的160例患者分为2组,治疗组78例,采用唑来膦酸4mg静脉滴入(15min以上),每4周重复1次;对照组82例采用帕米膦酸钠90mg静脉滴入6h,每4周重复1次。结果提示疼痛缓解总有效率在治疗组、对照组各为92.3%和82.9%,P=0.073。疼痛缓解后复发时间,治疗组和对照组各为16.4、12.6d,P=0.184;两组不良反应轻微,对照组发热发生率略高于治疗组。初步研究结果提示,唑来膦酸对骨转移引起的疼痛有良好的止痛效果,不良反应少。     

唑来膦酸治疗恶性肿瘤骨转移引起疼痛的临床研究

目的探讨唑来膦酸治疗骨转移引起疼痛的效果和不良反应。方法将恶性肿瘤骨转移引起疼痛的68例患者随机分为两组,治疗组34例,采用唑来膦酸4mg静脉滴入（15min以上）,每4wk重复1次;对照组34例,采用帕米膦酸二钠90mg静脉滴入4h,每4wk重复1次,至少连续应用2次。结果缓解总有效率：治疗组、对照组分别为82．4％和79．4％,P=0.920;疼痛缓解后复发时间：治疗组和对照组分别为14．8d、13．9d,P=0．763;活动能力改善率：治疗组和对照组分别为76．5％、73．5％;KPS评分提高程度：治疗组和对照组分别为11．2、10．3分,P=0．958;不良反应发生率：治疗组和对照组分别为41．2％、44．1％,主要为发热、寒战、一过性骨痛加重、消化道反应等,两组间差异无显著性,P〉0．05,经对症处理后症状消失。结论唑来膦酸对骨转移引起的疼痛有良好的止痛效果,两组疗效无显著差异,毒副反应各有不同。     

注射用唑来膦酸对恶性肿瘤骨转移疼痛的临床疗效和安全性分析

目的:评价注射用唑来膦酸治疗肿瘤骨转移引起疼痛的有效性及安全性。方法:50例癌症骨转移中度以上疼痛患者随机、双盲和双模拟分为两组,每组25例。研究组为唑来膦酸4 mg加入生理盐水注射液100 mL中静脉滴入15 min;对照组为帕米膦酸二钠60 mg加入5%葡萄糖或生理盐水注射液500 mL中静脉滴入至少4 h。对治疗前、治疗后第7天和第14天的NRS、QOL、KPS、缓解率和加用止痛剂情况进行比较;同时,对药物的不良事件、血尿常规和生化等指标进行评估。结果:治疗前研究组和对照组具有可比性。治疗后两组的NRS较治疗前明显降低(治疗前、治疗后第7天和第14天:研究组6.36vs4.08vs3.28,P<0.01;对照组5.92vs4.20vs3.36,P<0.01),具有明显缓解疼痛的作用;治疗后两组的QOL较治疗前明显提高(治疗前、治疗后第7天和第14天:研究组18.92vs23.40vs24.20,P<0.01;对照组19.56vs23.12vs23.88,P<0.01),明显改善了生活质量,治疗后两组的KPS较治疗前也明显改善(治疗前和治疗后第14天:研究组67.60vs78.00,P<0.01;对照组60.80vs70.80,P<0.01),但治疗后两组间差异均无统计学意义。疼痛总缓解率研究组稍高于对照组,但差异无统计学意义(第7天60%vs48%,P=0.395;第14天80%vs72%,P=0.742);加服即释吗啡人数研究组和对照组各1例。对照组中有1例在输注帕米膦酸后出现轻度全身疼痛,约12 h后自行消失。结论:唑来膦酸对癌症骨转移的疼痛有良好的疗效,且具有给药时间短、给药剂量小和作用时间长的临床特点。不良反应轻微,患者耐受良好。     

Palliative treatment of painful bone metastases from non-Hodgkin lymphoma with disodium pamidronate

We report a case of a 72-year-old male, with a known history of non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the left tonsil for two years, histologically proved and successfully treated by radical surgical excision in combination with external radiotherapy. He presented with diffuse bone pain the last month, especially at the lower left ribs, which was found to be due to multiple osseous metastases by bone scintigraphy. The patient was initially treated by common analgesics and when the pain deteriorated he was administered 180 mg i.v. disodium pamidronate (AREDIA, Novartis Inc.). The patient showed excellent pain relief as well as dramatically improvement of WHO status and stopped the analgesics. An interesting point of our case was that the pain deteriorated again after a month and reduced soon after the re-administration of pamidronate, which was continued every month. So far, 10 months after the first pamidronate injection, our patient remains stable with excellent pain relief. Despite the absence of related data in the current literature, we consider the use of high dose pamidronate intravenous therapy safe and an effective method of palliative management of painful osseous metastases from non-Hodgkin lymphoma.     

Effects of alendronate on bone metastases and hypercalcemia after surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma

Alendronate, a bisphosphonate compound, lowers serum calcium in patients with cancer-associated hypercalcemia through its inhibitory effect on bone resorption and as a result symptoms associated with hypercalcemia improve. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of alendronate in patients with hypercalcemia due to bone metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Two patients were evaluated. Their corrected serum calcium and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels and their computed tomography (CT), bone scintigraphy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were evaluated before and during alendronate treatment. After treatment, not only the corrected serum calcium levels but also AFP levels and bone pain decreased; in addition, the regression of the metastatic focus was noted in the MRI analysis. These tumor inhibitory effects of alendronate have not been reported in HCC before; and alendronate might serve to prevent bone metastases in patients with HCC. In conclusion, two patients who developed hypercalcemia associated with bone metastasis after surgery for HCC were treated with alendronate and they experienced alleviation of the pain due to bone metastasis, improvement of their quality of life and a marked decrease in AFP levels with tumor regression.     

A case of effective bisphosphonate therapy of sequential pamidronate and incadronate for bone metastases from breast cancer

A 55-year-old woman complained of neck pain ten years after undergoing surgery. She was diagnosed as having bone metastases and treated using pamidronate therapy with doxifluridine, tamoxifen and fadrozole, which was assessed as effective. She complained of neck pain 32 months after pamidronate infusion. CT revealed that the sclerosis had continued but new lytic lesions were detected in the cervical vertebra. Thus, we attempted incadronate and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) administration. After 2 months, incadronate therapy with MPA relieved her neck pain. CT revealed lytic lesions of cervical vertebra showing sclerosis 3 months after this treatment and the sclerosis has continued. Bisphosphonate therapy of sequential pamidronate and incadronate with MPA administration is a useful treatment for bone metastasis from breast cancer.     

唑来膦酸或帕米膦酸二钠联合阿那曲唑治疗绝经后乳腺癌骨转移的疗效观察

目的 比较唑来膦酸和帕米膦酸二钠分别联合阿那曲唑治疗绝经后乳腺癌骨转移的临床疗效及不良反应。方法 收集2010年1月至2014年6月我院肿瘤科收治的绝经后乳腺癌骨转移患者51例,以随机数字表法分为对照组（n=27）和治疗组（n=24）。治疗组口服阿那曲唑（1 mg/d）联合唑来膦酸4 mg静滴;对照组口服阿那曲唑（1 mg/d）联合帕米膦酸二钠60 mg静滴,28 d为1个周期。观察两组骨痛缓解情况、骨转移灶清退情况、无骨相关事件（skeletal related evend,SRE）生存时间、总生存时间及不良反应。结果 治疗14　d后对照组和治疗组疼痛控制总有效率分别为66.7%和87.5%,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;治疗56 d后对照组疼痛控制总有效率为77.8%,治疗组为91.7%,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。治疗组的骨转移灶清退情况显著优于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。对照组与治疗组中位无SRE生存时间为17.4个月和22.4个月,中位总生存时间为25.8个月和35.1个月,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。不良反应主要为发热、肌肉及骨酸痛等,给予对症治疗后缓解。结论 唑来膦酸联合阿那曲唑治疗绝经后乳腺癌骨转移疗效较好,不良反应可耐受,安全性良好,值得临床推广应用。     

Phase III clinical study of zoledronic acid in the treatment of pain induced by bone metastasis from solid tumor or multiple myeloma

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of zoledronic acid in the treatment of bone pain in patients with bone metastasis from solid tumor or multiple myeloma. METHODS: A randomized, double-bland, double-simulated and multi-center phase III clinical trail with pamidronate as control was conducted. Patients with moderate to severe bone pain (VAS > 50 mm) induced by solid tumor or multiple myeloma were randomized to receive intravenous zoledronic acid 4 mg or pamidronate 90 mg. Then the change of VAS and urinary NTX/Cr and CTX/Cr were observed in two groups. RESULTS: From July 2005 to September 2006, 228 patients with bone pain induced by bone metastasis from 15 cancer centers were randomize into two groups: 116 patients in zoledronic acid group and 112 patients in pamidronate group. The VAS value was decreased gradually after treatment in these two groups. Significant improvement in bone pain after treatment were observed both in zoledronic acid group and the control group when compared with baseline VAS on D8 (-11.77% vs. -10.87%), D15 (-24.60% vs. -21.06%) and D28 (-32.37% vs. -31.26%) (P< or =0.0001), but no significant difference existed between two groups (P =0.6587). Compared with baseline, urine NTX/Cr and CTX/Cr level were decreased rapidly after treatment in both groups, the nadir was on D8, the median decreased on D28, which was -36.9% vs. -32.1% for NTX/Cr (P = 0.7922) and -63.2% vs. -47.9% for CTX/Cr (P =0.834). The frequently observed adverse events were pyrexia (19.0% vs. 31.3%), vomiting (6.0% vs. 8.9%), nausea (4.3% vs. 4.5%), fatigue (3.4% vs. 2.7%) and constipation (2.6% vs. 1.8%) in the two groups. Compared with baseline, the serum creatinine level was not significantly increased throughout the study. CONCLUSION: Intravenous injection of 4 mg zoledronic acid can significantly reduce bone pain and bone resorption marker in urine in the Chinese patients with bone metastasis from solid tumor or multiple myeloma, which is tolerable and also comparable to pamidronate in the efficacy and safety.     

唑来膦酸治疗实体瘤骨转移或多发性骨髓瘤中重度骨痛的Ⅲ期临床研究

目的 评价唑来膦酸治疗实体瘤骨转移或多发性骨髓瘤引起的中重度骨痛的效果和安全性.方法 采用随机、双盲、双模拟、多中心的实验设计方法.将228例实体瘤骨转移或多发性骨髓瘤引起中重度骨痛[视觉模拟评分(VAS)＞50 mm]的患者随机分为唑来膦酸组(116例)和帕米膦酸二钠组(112例),分别接受静脉输注唑来膦酸(4 mg)或帕米膦酸二钠(90 mg)的单剂量治疗.检测唑来膦酸对疼痛及尿液中I型胶原交联氨基末端肽(NTX)/肌酐(Cr)、Ⅰ型胶原交联羧基末端肽(CTX)/Cr的影响,并观察不良反应,评价其安全性.结果 228例患者中202例完成试验,其中唑来膦酸组104例,膦酸二钠组98例.用药后两组VAS评分逐渐下降,唑来膦酸组第8、15、22、28天对基线的平均变化百分比分别为-11.77%、-24.60%、-28.50%和-32.37%,帕米膦酸二钠组则分别为-10.87%、-21.06%、-25.67%和-31.26%,两组各时间点相对基线变化的百分比均有统计学意义(均P≤0.0001),但两组间相对基线变化的百分比差异无统计学意义(P=0.6587).用药后两组尿NTX/Cr均快速下降,第8天降到最低点,与基线相比,唑来膦酸组用药后第28天的变化百分比中位值为-36.9%(P=0.0002),帕米膦酸二钠为-32.1%(P=0.0018),两组问差异无统计学意义(P=0.7922).用药后两组尿CTX/Cr均快速下降,第8天时降到最低点,与基线相比,唑来膦酸组用药后第28天变化百分比中位值为-63.2%(P＜0.0001),帕米膦酸二钠组为-47.9%(P＜0.0001),两组间差异无统计学意义(P=0.834).唑来膦酸和帕米膦酸二钠组中常见的不良反应为发热(19.0%和31.3%)、呕吐(6.0%和8.9%)、恶心(4.3%和4.5%)、乏力(3.4%和2.7%)、便秘(2.6%和1.8%)、低钙血症(5.2%和3.6%),均未出现血肌酐值升高.结论 4 mg唑来膦酸单剂量治疗中国人实体瘤骨转移或多发性骨髓瘤,在缓解骨痛和降低骨吸收标记物方面与帕米膦酸二钠同样有效,患者耐受性好.     

氯化锶和帕米膦酸二钠治疗多发性骨转移癌疼痛的疗效分析

目的 :比较氯化锶 (89Sr)和(或 )帕米膦酸二钠 (APD)治疗恶性肿瘤多发性骨转移骨疼痛的疗效。方法 :对 96例确诊为骨转移癌的患者随机分为 3组 ,分别为 89Sr治疗组、APD治疗组和 89Sr APD治疗组 ,观察 3组在止痛效果、活动能力改善结果和不良反应之间的差别。结果 :3 2例 89Sr组、40例APD组和 2 4例 89Sr APD组的骨痛止痛有效率分别为 81 2 5 % (2 6/3 2 )、75 % (3 0 /4 0 )和 95 83 % (2 3 /2 4) ,89Sr APD组与单用APD组相比差异有统计学意义 ,P <0 0 5。 3组活动能力改善结果有效率分别为 81 2 5 % (2 6/3 2 )、75 % (3 0 /4 0 )、91 6% (2 2 /2 4) ,89Sr APD组与单用APD组比差异无统计学意义。 3组在不良反应方面 ,在恶心、呕吐及发热方面差异无统计学意义 ,但是在闪烁现象上 3组差异有统计学意义 ,P <0 0 5 ,且单用 89Sr组与 89Sr APD组间差异有统计学意义 ,P <0 0 5。在骨髓抑制方面 3组差异有统计学意义 ,P <0 0 1,但单用 89Sr组与 89Sr APD组之间差异无统计学意义。结论 :89Sr APD联合用药组对骨转移疼痛的治疗 ,止痛疗效更显著 ,且能减少闪烁现象等不良反应 ,而不增加骨髓抑制毒性。     

Bisphosphonates: biological response modifiers in breast cancer

Bone recurrence constitutes one third of initial sites of relapse and one half of distant sites of relapse at 10 years from diagnosis of breast cancer. Bone pain, fracture (including vertebral fracture resulting from increased bone resorption following chemotherapy-induced menopause), and hypercalcemia are components of skeletal morbidity. The pathophysiology of malignant osteopathy occurs because of the secretion of substances (such as parathyroid hormone-related peptide), by the malignant cell, which stimulate osteoclast function; this in turn feeds further growth, which causes a vicious cycle. Interruption of this cycle by bisphosphonates may inhibit the growth of malignant cells. Bisphosphonates are drugs that inhibit bone turnover by decreasing bone resorption. Side effects of bisphosphonates include upper gastrointestinal symptoms (in oral nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates) and diarrhea (in oral non-nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates) and an acute phase-like reaction with intravenous (I.V.) pamidronate. Bisphosphonates have different molecular mechanisms of action: Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (eg, pamidronate and alendronate) inhibit the mevalonate-signaling pathway while the non-nitrogen-containing drugs (eg, clodronate) incorporate into adenosine triphosphate analogues. There is in vitro evidence that these drugs also possess anticancer properties. In hypercalcemia patients, treatment with pamidronate and zoledronate produce prompt and efficient normocalcemia. Intravenous pamidronate and zoledronate, oral clodronate, and ibandronate reduce skeletal complications in patients with bone metastases; I.V. pamidronate and clodronate are useful for bone pain relief. Three adjuvant bisphosphonate trials are discussed herein: 2 small open-label studies giving conflicting results and a large placebo-controlled trial of oral clodronate. This latter trial shows a reduction in the incidence of skeletal metastases (while the patients are on therapy) and an improved survival at 5 years.     

Two cases of stage IV breast cancer with severe hypercalcemia

Case 1: A 34-year-old woman,who had a right breast cancer with axillary lymph node metastasis and multiple bone metastases, was referred to our clinic. She developed paralysis of lower extremities and disorder of the bladder and rectum due to metastasis to the thoracic vertebra, and also had renal dysfunction due to severe hypercalcemia and hemorrhagic cystitis. Correcting the serum calcium level with intravenous infusion, elcatonin, pamidronate and betamethasone, she underwent radiation therapy for the vertebral metastasis. The first hormonal therapy (leuprorelin/exemestane) had been effective for about 4 months, however the second hormonal therapy (leuprorelin/tamoxifen) was not effective. Chemotherapy with paclitaxel (80 mg/m(2), day 1, 8, 15, every 4 weeks) brought about a stable general condition and a normal level of serum calcium with zoledronate in the ninth month of treatment. Case 2: A 32-year-old woman, who had a right breast cancer with multiple bone metastases and axillary and hilar lymph node metastases, came to our clinic, complaining of nausea due to severe hypercalcemia. After successful correction of hypercalcemia by the intravenous infusion and administration of elcatonin, pamidronate and dexamethasone, the hormonal therapy(goserelin/tamoxifen) caused rapid re-elevation of serum calcium and tumor marker, so that a tumor flare was suspected. After 3 cycles of EC therapy (EPI 90 mg/m(2), CPM 600 mg/m(2), every 3 weeks), 2 cycles of paclitaxel therapy (80 mg/m(2), day 1, 8, 15, every 4 weeks) brought about tumor reduction and the normal level of serum calcium. After 7 cycles of paclitaxel therapy,the hormonal therapy (goserelin/tamoxifen) proved effective for several months. To achieve tumor reduction and stabilize the serum calcium level, we need to start immediately the treatment of breast cancer with severe hypercalcemia, considering the general condition of the patient.     

Eel calcitonin treatment on patients with urogenital carcinoma for relief of pain from metastatic bone lesions

Forty-seven patients of advanced urogenital carcinoma with bone metastasis were treated with eel calcitonin (CT) to relieve severe pain from metastatic bone lesions. Patients were 45 males and 2 females with a mean age of 72.9. CT was administered intravenously at a daily dose of 160 units for 10 days. The efficacy of CT on relief of pain was estimated using a mark sheets filled by each patient and his or her doctor. And also the amount of analgesics given to patients before and after the administration of CT were checked. CT was effective on 77% of patients to reduce severe bone pain, especially on osteoblastic lesions metastasized from prostatic carcinoma. CT administration decreased the amount of analgesics in 37% of the cases. As toxicity, nausea and vomiting which stopped the CT administration were observed in only one From these results, we conclude that CT is quite useful drug for relief of severe bone pain from metastatic lesions in patients with urogenital carcinoma.