Pain killing with calcitonin in patients with malignant tumours

The most essential role of Miacalcic (Calcitonin Sandoz), a 32-amino-acids peptide, is the preservation of osseal integrity. Based on this physiological fact it is assumed that this hormone may have a bone-regenerating effect in bone metastasis formation and sometimes in other malignancies. Though no considerable calcium incorporation could be revealed in our 58 patient treated with Miacalcic, a marked relief of pain was observed in 65.5% of the patients. For objectivation of the subjective pain sensation, the decrease in the quantity of other analgetics used daily, duration of pain and changes of its intensity were studied. These figures were 35.4% on the average, from 12.5-6 h and 23.6%, respectively. The pain-killing character of Miacalcic cannot be explained, but the following assumptions are made: (1) it partially inhibits the synthesis of algogenous peptides; (2) with its possibly cytostatic effect it inhibits the cell proliferation in loco and normalizes the internal pressure of the destroyed region, and (3) by conversion into beta-endorphin it exerts its effect centrally. Compared to the pain-killing effect, the simultaneous improvement of the quality of life seems to be even more essential. It has been proved earlier that a hormone physiologically present, when applied in a high dose, has an analgetic effect, i.e. by utilizing the endogenous substance of the organism, relief of pain can be achieved. We should like to point out that Miacalcic is the only analgetic agent capable of ensuring relief of pain with a simultaneous improvement of the quality of life. Accordingly, the application of Miacalcic in patients suffering from malignant tumours is highly recommended.