Abstract
Gallium nitrate, an agent known to inhibit bone resorption, was evaluated in patients with bidimensionally measurable hormone-refractory prostatic cancer. The starting dose was 200 mg/m2 iv by continuous infusion over 7 days. Two patients (10%; 95% confidence limits, 0%-22%) achieved short partial remissions of 1 and 6+ months, while seven of 23 (30%; 95% confidence limits, 14%-52%) showed a diminution of bone pain. Serial indices of bone turnover including serum calcium, phosphorus, and urinary hydroxyproline excretion showed a significant decrease at the completion of the infusion which returned to baseline prior to the next cycle. The data suggest the effect on bone was too short to produce consistent improvement. Reasons for the dissociation of pain relief and antitumor activity are discussed.
Publication types
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Clinical Trial
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy*
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Adenocarcinoma / metabolism
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Adenocarcinoma / pathology
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Adenocarcinoma / secondary
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Aged
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Bone Neoplasms / drug therapy*
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Bone Neoplasms / metabolism
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Bone Neoplasms / pathology
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Bone Neoplasms / secondary
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Bone Resorption
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Bone and Bones / drug effects*
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Bone and Bones / metabolism
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Bone and Bones / pathology
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Calcium / blood
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Clinical Trials as Topic
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Creatinine / blood
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Gallium / adverse effects
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Gallium / therapeutic use*
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Humans
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Hydroxyproline / urine
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Phosphorus / blood
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Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
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Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
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Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
Substances
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Phosphorus
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Creatinine
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Gallium
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Hydroxyproline
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Calcium
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gallium nitrate