The physicians of ROC are pleased to offer Radium 223 (Xofigo, Bayer Health Care) as a treatment for patients with metastatic hormone resistant prostate cancer.  On 5/15/2013, Radium 223 was approved for treatment of patients with castrate resistant prostate cancer for symptomatic bone metastases and no known visceral disease.  Approval was based on a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial called the ALSYMPCA (Alpharadin in Symptomatic Prostate Cancer) Trial (1).  Patients had painful castrate-resistant prostate cancer and no visceral disease.  All patients had prior treatment with docetaxel or deemed unable to tolerate docetaxel treatment.  921 patients were entered into the study and a 2:1 radomization was used.  Patients were given an injection of Radium 223 every four weeks for six cycles plus best standard of care (n=614) or placebo plus best standard of care(n=307).  Standard of care included local radiotherapy, corticosteroids, anti-androgens, estrogens, estramustine or ketoconazole.  All patients continued anti-androgen therapy.

At a prespecified interim analysis, median overall survival, which was the primary endpoint of this trial, was significantly prolonged with this drug in the Radium 223 group (14.9 vs. 11.3 months, p<0.001).  This improvement in overall survival is supported by a delay in time to the first symptomatic skeletal event.  A skeletal event was defined as the need for external beam radiation therapy to relieve skeletal pain, new pathologic fracture, new spinal cord compression, or tumor-related orthopedic surgical intervention.  Other secondary events that were improved are represented in the table below compared to placebo:

Fewer adverse events were reported in patients who received Radium 223 than in the placebo group.  Quality of life scores improved in Radium 223 group (25%) compared to the placebo group (16%, p=0.02). Thrombocyoptenia (12%vs 6%), neutropenia (5% vs 1%), and diarrhea (25% vs 15%) were the major side effects that occurred greater in the Radium 223 group versus the placebo group.  Thus, Radium 223 use in patients with bone only castrate resistant prosate cancer, improves overall survival, quality of life, and biochemical disease markers without increase in adverse events.

MECHANISM OF ACTION:  The active component of radium-223 is the alpha particle Radium-223 dichloride.  This compound mimics calcium and forms complexes at areas of increased bone turnover.  The alpha particles lead to a high frequency of double-strand DNA breaks in adjacent cells.  The range of the alpha particles is 100 micrometers which is less than 10 cell diameters.  This limits damage to surrounding normal tissue including the adjacent bone marrow.

DELIVERY:  The patient is given a dose of Radium 223 intravenously at four week intervals for six 1 minute injections.  The volume of drug given is calculated based on the patient’s weight and the radioactivity concentration of the product.

DISTRIBUTION:  The majority of the Radium-223 is delivered to the bone within 4 hours of injection.  The major route of excretion is through the bowels with only a very small amount excreted through the bladder and therefore the most common side effects seen were GI including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.  Also seen were peripheral edema and changes in blood counts.

If you are interested in learning more about this drug or if you would like to have your patients receive consultation regarding treatment with Radium 223, please contact one of our physicians.  www.chicagocancer.org

1)  Parker C, et al., (2013) Alpha emitter Radium-223 and survival in metastatic prostate cancer.  N Engl J Med 2013; 369:213-223.

• Alexian Brothers Cancer Center
• Cadence Health – CDH Cancer Center
• Advocate Good Shepherd Cancer Center
• Advocate Good Samaritan Cancer Center
• Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center
• Advocate Lutheran General Cancer Care Center
• St. Alexius Medical Center
• Adventist Hinsdale Hospital