Bone Targeted Radionuclide Therapy in Russia From Beta- to Alpha- Emitters

Treatment of patients with painful multiple bone metastases is a complicated clinical task. Radionuclide therapy is one of the solutions, which is used to achieve the long reduction of pain syndrome and to significantly improve the quality of life. However, the mechanism of action of bone-seeking radiopharmaceuticals suggests not only pain control but the antitumor effect as well. In early clinical studies of safety and efficacy, single administrations of the most common bone-seeking radiopharmaceuticals did not demonstrate any benefit in overall survival, but individual extraordinary tumor regressions were reported. Repeated administrations and combination with other treatment modalities can help to gain a statistically significant increase in overall survival. In this chapter, the history of bone-targeted radionuclide therapy in Russia is reviewed.