Objective: To explore the therapeutic efficacy of 153Sm-EDTMP in treating painful bone metastases from breast cancer.
Methods: Seventy-six patients with painful bone metastases from breast cancer entered the study and were treated by intravenous administration of 153Sm-EDTMP in two doses.
Results: Overall, 65 of 76 patients (85.52%) experienced prompt pain relief; among them 25 patients (32.89%) felt complete remission and 40 patients (52.63%) met with moderate remission. Follow-up imaging examinations were performed after each course of treatment. Complete metastatic foci disappearance was achieved in 6 cases and partial metastatic foci disappearance or regression was achieved in 16 cases, so the global effective rate was 28.95%. No major adverse effects were observed, and hematological toxicity did not exceed grade 3 in accordance to the World Health Organization criteria.
Conclusion: 153Sm-EDTMP is safe and effective for fast palliation of painful bone metastases and for inhibition of metastatic foci from breast cancer.