Clondronate for the treatment of bone metastases in hormone refractory prostate Cancer

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of clondronate for the treatment of symptomatic skeletal metastases due to hormone refractory prostate cancer in terms of decreased pain and an improved Karnofsky index. Between January 2003 and February 2005, a total of 20 patients presented to Clinical Oncology Department, Alexandria University and El-Obour Insurance Hospital, Kafer El-Sheikh, with bone pain due to metastases from hormone refractory prostate adenocarcinoma, were evaluated and treated with clondronate in open prospective non controlled study. A significant pain decrease in terms of a mean pain score 3 [ranged from 0 to 5] was achieved in 15 patients [75%]. Fifteen patients were completely pain free without further need for analgesic medications. The initial mean karnofsky index of 48% [ranged from 35% to 60%] elevated to 65% [range 50-80%]. Side effects consisted mainly of slight gastrointestinal discomfort in three patients [15%] in the form of epigastric and excessive salivation and superficial phlebitis in one patient [5%]. Clondronate is an effective drug for palliative treatment of bone metastases caused by hormone refractory prostate cancer, with prompt effects on pain, improvement of Karnofsky index, decrease consumption of analgesics with few side effects and improvement in the quality of life