[32P] diphosphonate dose determination in patients with bone metastases from prostatic carcinoma

In an initial safety study, phosphorus-32 (as diphosphonate) was administered intravenously to five patients with painful bone metastases from prostatic carcinoma; two patients received 9 mCi and three were given 3 mCi. Hematological, biochemical, ECG, x-ray, bone-scan data, and clinical observation, were followed for 2 mo. At both dose levels, bone-marrow depression was noted. One of the patients, who received 9 mCi, had only a slight dip in the levels of circulating white blood cells and platelets. The other 9-mCi patient was the only one with discrete metastases by bone scan; he had bone-marrow depression, from which he recovered, and was the only one of the five who had relief of bone pain.