Strontium (89Sr) chloride
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Strontium-89 is an isotope of strontium. Strontium-89 is a beta particle emitter with a half-life of 50 days.
Physiological effects and Medical use
Strontium belongs to the same periodic family as calcium (alkaline earth metals), and is metabolised in a similar fashion. 89Sr, used in the treatment of osseous (bony) metastases preferentially targets metabolically active regions of the bone.[1] As such, intravenous or intracavity administration of 89Sr may be helpful in the palliation of painful bony metastases, as it allows for targeted radiation to metastatic lesions, inducing apoptosis of cells, membrane and protein damage. Subsequently, bone pain resulting from cytokine release at the site of lesions, bone-associated nerve compression and stretching of the periosteum may be reduced. Treatment with 89Sr has been particularly effective in patients with hormonally-resistant prostate cancer, often leading to a decreased requirement for narcotic analgesics, an increase in time until further radiation, and a decrease in tumour markers.
It is an artificial radioisotope which is used in treatment of bone cancer. In circumstances where cancer patients have widespread and painful bony metastases, the administration of 89Sr results in the delivery of beta particles directly to the area of bony problem, where calcium turnover is greatest.
References
- ↑ Halperin, Edward C.; Perez, Carlos A.; Brady, Luther W. (2008). Perez and Brady's principles and practice of radiation oncology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 1997–. ISBN 978-0-7817-6369-1. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
Mertens, W. C., Filipczak, L. A., Ben-Josef, E., Davis, L. P. and Porter, A. T. (1998), Systemic bone-seeking radionuclides for palliation of painful osseous metastases: Current concepts. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 48: 361–374. doi: 10.3322/canjclin.48.6.361