Since the beginning of medical history cancer has been considered to be one of the hardest challenges humanity had to face. Physicians and scientists globally are investing a significant number of years to determine proper therapies. A pioneer product within this respect is Radium223, a radioactive compound designed and used to treat metastatic prostate cancer with strategic localization in bones. Radium 223 is a specially developed radiopharmaceutical aimed at cancer cells in the bones and sparing the rest of the surrounding tissues.
But with so many treatment options already available, one may ask: Is Radium 223 the answer to cancer treatments of the future? In this blog post we will discover what is Radium -223 , how it is used in cancer treatment, the effects of the treatment, and the chances of it being the treatment of the future for cancer patients. We will also look at the benefits and drawbacks of using this therapy and what some research has to say.
What Is Radium 223?
Radium 223 is another therapy available to individuals suffering from such prostate cancer that metastasised to the bones. This treatment is different in that it acts like calcium and is drawn to bones where it can home in on cancer cells that have metastasized to this tissue. When given, Radium -223 is targeted and deposits high energy radiation on the bone metastases where it induces the cancer cells to disintegrate without harming the rest of the cells.
This makes it ideal for prostate cancer patients with bone metastases since typical chemotherapy has widespread effect on the body and their side effects include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, fatigue among others. And with Radium223 it is going to be quite difficult for the patients to develop any of these systemic side effects.
How Does Radium 223 Work?
Radium 223 discharges alpha rays, the sort of radiation that has the ability to spread only slightly deeper into the tissue. This means it can irradiate a large amount of radiation to the cancer cells in the bones but little affect the normal cells. But this technique selectively goes in for bone metastases and kills cancer cells from inside thus resulting in smaller size and number of tumors in the bones.
Radium -223 is also used in the relief of symptoms associated with bone metastases including pain, fracture and other bone complications and hence useful for the late stage prostate cancer patients.
Is Radium 223 the Future of Cancer Treatment?
Radium 223 has indeed brought a lot of changes in oncology especially in treatment of prostate cancer. Still, its effectiveness as the form of therapy of cancer disease predicates the formation of the further existence of cancer treatment. However, it is necessary to emphasize that Radium 223 is still available for prostate cancer with relapse in bones and is not efficient for other types of cancer.
Currently, it is regarded as an effective system as a part of the cancer treatment techniques, particularly, for those, who had bad reactions to the regular treatments. Maybe in the future as research goes on, Radium223 or some similar products may be useful for other kinds of cancers.
Clinical Efficacy
There are different trials and studies pointing towards the clinical effectiveness of Radium 223. In the ALSYMPCA trial, Ra-223 was established as affording a longer OS compared to placebo in men with symptomatic CRPC and BSM. Ra-223 treated patients had better OS compared to patients in the placebo arm, with median OS being 14.9 months and 11.3 months, respectively.
Potential Drawbacks
Like in any type of radiation therapy, there are hazards involved with radium223. The two main issues include exposure of other body parts to radiation and the possibility to suppress the bone marrow leading to bleeding and infections. Furthermore, radium 223 is also relatively toxic and should be handled and stored with particular precautions since it has radioactivity properties.
Advantages of Radium223
- Targeted Treatment: Radium223 selectively accumulates in the bones where it affects cancer cells and has little effect on the normal cells.
- Fewer Side Effects: Hormone therapy, unlike conventional chemotherapy, does not generally produce side-effects such as hairs falling or vomiting.
- Bone Health: For the most part it aids in control of some bone-related issues such as fractures, pain and impaired physical structure.
- Improves Survival: Lit reviews have revealed that Radium 223 increases the survival time among prostate cancer patients with bones malignancy.
- Symptom Relief: Radium -223 has been shown to hurt the bones less, and patients who take it do not feel as much discomfort as before.
Disadvantages of Radium 223
- Limited Scope: At the moment, Radium223 is only available for treatment of prostate cancer with metastasis to bone tissue. It is not likely to succeed for other cancers.
- Cost: Radium -223 is not always cheap and, therefore, there is a possibility that insurance could not fully fund the treatment.
- Limited Availability: This treatment may not be offered by different health care centers.
- Potential Side Effects: As with other, even though comparatively fewer, Radium -223 does have its side effects such as, diarrhea, nausea, and swelling.
Side Effects of Radium 223
Despite this non-toxicity, Radium223 has known side effects even though it is less frequent among patients. These include:
- Diarrhea: Most patients develop mild to moderate diarrhoea during therapy.
- Nausea: It may make you feel sick or even vomit, but this is less likely than with chemotherapy.
- Swelling: This article notes that some patients develop oedema, a condition in which the limbs become swollen, especially the arm, leg or foot.
- Low Blood Cell Counts: Radium 223 intake may affect blood cell count and can cause anemia, increased likelihood of infections or bleeding.
There are always side effects of the treatment and the intensity depends on the response of the patient towards the treatment.
Indications for Use
Ra 223 is primarily indicated for patients who:
- They have CRPC with symptomatic bone metastases.
- Have not received prior chemotherapy or have had low dose chemotherapy.
- No history of other known specific visceral metastases, that is, cancer spread to organs.
Conclusion
The results of the clinical trial have proved that Radium -223 is effective in the treatment of prostate cancer that has reached the bone. It provides specific result with fewer side effects compared with other treatments such as chemotherapy. But it is not a universal treatment approach and is used only in some circumstances in the present time.
Although it may not be the ‘future’ for all cancers, it is innovation for the field of oncology and provides a new glimmer of light for patients suffering with MBD. Subsequent study and advancements in the technology may enable similar kind treatments to be introduced for other types of cancer thus the development of a wider role of radioactive therapies in managing various types of cancers.
Finally, Radium 223 has to be seen as the hope that the future of cancer therapy will result from further advancements in knowledge, better and safer solutions in cancer therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who can benefit from Radium-223 therapy?
A: Radium-223 is indicated mainly in the treatment of men with prostate cancer that has metastasized to the bones and who have failed hormone treatment or radical surgery.
Q: How is Radium-223 administered?
A: Radium-223 is an injection known as a radionuclide therapy, which is injected and administered in four to six doses a month apart.
Q: What makes Radium-223 different from other cancer treatments?
A: Also, it causes minimal side effects because unlike chemotherapy, Radium-223 only acts on the bone metastases.
Q: Is Radium-223 effective in preventing cancer recurrence?
A: Radium-223 work well in shrinking the tumours and relieving symptoms but it does not assure that cancer cannot recur.
Q: How long do the benefits of Radium-223 last?
A: Advantages of Radium 223 may last several months to years. The period depends on a patient’s illness and how well the patient responds to treatment.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Treatment decisions for any cancer should be made after consulting a health professional. Treatment outcomes with Radium 223 or any drug will vary for each patient.