{sup 188}Rhenium-HEDP in the Treatment of Pain in Bone Metastases

Systemic use of radiopharmaceuticals is a recognized alternative method for the treatment of pain in patients with multiple bone metastasis. A new option, {sup 188}Re-HEDP is proposed, using generator-obtained {sup 188}Rhenium ({beta} energy = 2.1 MeV, {gamma} energy = 155 keV, half-life = 16.9 hours). After establishing parameters of biodistribution, dosimetry and image acquisition in mice, rats and rabbits, Phase I and II studies were conducted on 12 patients with multiple metastasis from carcinomas, with pain surpassing other analgesic options. More than 50% pain relief was found in 91% of the patients, with total relief during a variable period in 41% of them allowing opiate and other analgesic drugs to be decreased or withdrawn, and showing a lower bone marrow contribution to total absorbed dose than that reported for other similar radiopharmaceuticals. Further study of this option is recommended in order to determine higher dose protocols without toxic bone marrow reaction possibilities