To the Editor,
A recent report on “bone metastases treatment by samarium (sm)-153 oxabifore in combination with monoclonal antibody denosumab (Xgeva)” is very interesting.[1] Rasulova et al. noted that “combined treatment of bone metastases with sm-153 oxabifore and denosumab is effective and safe.[1]” In fact, the combination is very interesting. A similar observation was also reported by Rasulova et al. on another combination between sm-153 oxabifore and bisphosphonate. Focusing on the present combination, sm-153 oxabifore and denosumab, the issue of side-effect should be studied in a larger scale. In fact, denosumab is generally used for management of bone loss in cancer patients.[2] However, some interesting side-effect of this drug can be seen. The important condition is osteonecrosis.[3,4] For sm-153, the effectiveness and side-effect is still inconclusive. The flare up of pain can be possible during therapy. As already note, further studies are still required for conclusion (see a clinical report in Russian language: base.ukgma.kz/vestnik/2012/vestnik_3_12.doc).
References
- 1.Rasulova N, Lyubshin V, Arybzhanov D, Krylov V, Khodjibekov M. Effectiveness of bone metastases treatment by sm-153 oxabifore in combination with monoclonal antibody denosumab (xgeva): First experience. World J Nucl Med. 2013;12:19–23. doi: 10.4103/1450-1147.113942. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2.Rasulova N, Lyubshin V, Arybzhanov D, Sagdullaev Sh, Krylov V, Khodjibekov M. Optimal timing of bisphosphonate administration in combination with samarium-153 oxabifore in the treatment of painful metastatic bone disease. World J Nucl Med. 2013;12:14–8. doi: 10.4103/1450-1147.113939. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 3.Yee AJ, Raje NS. Denosumab, a RANK ligand inhibitor, for the management of bone loss in cancer patients. Clin Interv Aging. 2012;7:331–8. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S14566. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
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