ABSTRACT
To assess the efficacy and toxicity of rhenium-186 HEDP in treating metastases. Patients: Twenty-six patients with bone pain from metastatic cancer were treated with 35 mCi of 186Re HEDP administered intravenously in the outpatient clinic. Patients were followed with pain diaries, records of medication, morbidity, sleep patterns, serial bone scans and a Karnofsky index. Twenty-five patients with complete records were evaluated. Patients were grouped according to the extent of bone metastases as seen in the bone scans. Sixteen patients [64%] showed clinical responses of which 4 became completely pain-free. Pain relief typically began 10-20 days after 186Re HEDP was administered, while maximum benefit was normally achieved by 6 weeks. Relief of pain was maintained for 4-15 months [mean 6 months]. No immediate adverse reactions were observed following the administration of 186Re HEDP. Only a mild transient fall in platelet levels was noted, which normalized by 6 weeks. 186RE HEDP appears as a safe, convenient and an effective palliative for pain secondary to bone metastases in cancer patients