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Biphosphonates as an Adjunct to Palliative Therapy of Bone Metastases from Prostatic Carcinoma. A Pilot Study on Clodronate
Author(s) -
VORREUTHER R.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
british journal of urology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 0007-1331
DOI - 10.1111/j.1464-410x.1993.tb16269.x
Subject(s) - medicine , osteolysis , carcinoma , urology , analgesic , prospective cohort study , palliative treatment , oncology , surgery , anesthesia
Summary Clodronate (Ostac R ) is a specific inhibitor of osteolysis from the group of biphosphonates. The efficacy and side effects of palliative treatment with the substance were investigated in an open prospective non‐controlled pilot study in 41 patients with advanced, progressive, hormone‐resistant prostatic carcinoma. All patients suffered from symptomatic bone metastases. Initially, they underwent an 8‐day saturation course with 300 mg clodronate i.v. per day A good to very good analgesic effect was achieved within 3 to 5 days in 29 patients (71%). The mean duration of action was 7 weeks and the mean survival time 12 weeks. There were no side effects after i.v. administration. Slight gastrointestinal discomfort was reported in 3 patients following oral administration. Delayed progression of the metastases was not observed. Clodronate is a promising addition to the other therapeutic possibilities in hormone‐resistant prostatic carcinoma.