Biphosphonates as an adjunct to palliative therapy of bone metastases from prostatic carcinoma. A pilot study on clodronate.

Clodronate (Ostac) is a specific inhibitor of osteolysis from the group of biphosphonates. The efficacy and side effects of palliative treatment with the substance were investigated in an open prospective non-controlled pilot study in 41 patients with advanced, progressive, hormone-resistant prostatic carcinoma. All patients suffered from symptomatic bone metastases. Initially, they underwent an 8-day saturation course with 300 mg clodronate i.v. per day. A good to very good analgesic effect was achieved within 3 to 5 days in 29 patients (71%). The mean duration of action was 7 weeks and the mean survival time 12 weeks. There were no side effects after i.v. administration. Slight gastrointestinal discomfort was reported in 3 patients following oral administration. Delayed progression of the metastases was not observed. Clodronate is a promising addition to the other therapeutic possibilities in hormone-resistant prostatic carcinoma.