Purpose: For patients with metastatic prostate cancer, first results have shown that rhenium-186 (Re-186) hydroxyethylidene diphosphonate (HEDP) is efficient in pain palliation of disseminated bone metastases. The aim of this study was to determine whether significant pain reduction can also be achieved in breast cancer patients with Re-186 HEDP.
Methods: Thirty patients with breast cancer who had multifocal painful bone metastases received a total of 38 intravenous Re-186 HEDP injections. Pain relief was assessed through daily documentation of the visual analog scale and analgesic consumption. A significant response to treatment was determined if the visual analog scale or analgesic consumption decreased significantly for at least 2 weeks. Blood counts were controlled at baseline and at weeks 4 and 8.
Results: A response to pain therapy was observed in 60% (18 of 30) of the patients. A reversible thrombocytopenia and leukopenia of grade 2 (according to World Health Organization criteria) was found in 4 and 2 patients, respectively.
Conclusion: Patients with disseminated osseous metastases resulting from breast cancer can benefit from therapy with Re-186 HEDP.