The safety and efficacy of radium-223 dichloride for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer

Introduction: A number of drugs have been shown to extend life expectancy in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Skeletal related events (SREs) secondary to bone metastases cause significant morbidity for men with CRPC. The α-emitting radiopharmaceutical radium-223 dichloride has been shown to improve overall survival, time to symptomatic skeletal events (SSEs) and quality of life in CRPC.

Areas covered: The development of radium-223 from pre-clinical studies to the evidence of efficacy and safety from a phase 3 trial is discussed as well as its pharmacokinetics and metabolism. The integration of radium-223 into routine care for patients with advanced prostate cancer is included including a comparison with other agents in this setting.

Expert commentary: The risk/benefit ratio for radium-223 is very similar to that of other agents used in the CRPC setting and is a treatment option for men unsuitable for cytotoxic chemotherapy because of comorbidities. The ALSYMPCA trial demonstrated an improvement in SSEs with radium-223. This is a clinically relevant end-point as not all radiologically-detected SREs are apparent to patients. The correct sequencing of the life-prolonging treatments available to men with CRPC is subject to debate. Radium-223 therapy should be considered before the development of visceral metastases. Drug-combination studies are underway.