Clinical observation of zoledronic acid combined with ⁸⁹Sr in the treatment of prostate cancer patients with bone metastases

Objective: To evaluate the clinical curative effect of zoledronic acid combined with ⁸⁹Sr for the treatment of prostate cancer patients with bone metastases. Methods: A total of 74 prostate cancer patients were randomly divided into three groups according to treatment, as follows: Group A (n = 25; median age, 66 years; age range, 46-87 years), zoledronic acid with ⁸⁹Sr; Group B (n = 25; median age, 65 years; age range, 43-89 years), zoledronic acid; and Group C (n = 24; median age, 66 years; age range, 47-85 years), ⁸⁹Sr. Groups B and C were the control groups. All patients were followed up for 6 months, during which the status of bone pain relief and improvement in the number of bone metastatic lesions were observed. Results: The three groups showed similar baseline characteristics. Total pain relief efficiency in group A was 88.0%, while those of the control groups were 72.0%(group B) and 79.2%(group C). Pain palliation of group A significantly differed from those of groups B and C (χ² = 8.959, P < 0.05). Regression of bone metastatic lesions in group A was 88.0%, while those of the control groups were 44.0%(group B) and 75.0%(group C). Significant difference was found between group A and the two control groups (χ² = 9.096, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Combined therapy of zoledronic acid and ⁸⁹Sr in prostate cancer patients with painful bone metastases was more effective in treating pain and improving the quality of life than separate administration of zoledronic acid or ⁸⁹Sr. (authors)