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Emerging Therapies

Introduction


Quadramet® belongs to a class of drugs called radiopharmaceuticals and is used to treat bone pain that often results when cancer has spread to the bone. Quadramet® is currently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to relieve pain in patients who have confirmed osteoblastic* metastatic bone lesions that are evident on a bone scan. To explain, when cancer spreads (metastasizes) to the bone, it is often characterized as osteolytic (the breakdown of bone), osteoblastic (the formation of bone), or mixed (a mixture of osteolytic and osteoblastic components).

In general, myeloma results in osteolytic lesions that are associated with excessive bone destruction. Other cancers, such as prostate cancer, are often associated with excessive bone formation when they metastasize. Recent observations, however, indicate that osteolytic and osteoblastic lesions simply represent two extremes of a broad spectrum – and most bone metastases exhibit characteristics of both.

Radiopharmaceuticals, like Quadramet®, are a type of systemic therapy – meaning one dose can target multiple sites of bone metastasis.

If patients have confirmed osteoblastic lesions, they may benefit from treatment with Quadramet®. Ongoing studies in the United States are currently evaluating the specific benefits that Quadramet® can offer to patients with myeloma.

This booklet is intended to provide a basic understanding of what you can expect from Quadramet® therapy, including:

  • What Quadramet® is and how it works to treat pain from cancer that has metastasized to the bone,
  • How to handle Quadramet® therapy safely,
  • What side effects might be expected from Quadramet® therapy, and
  • How Quadramet® may be used in combination with other therapies.

 

This information may be useful not only to patients, but also to friends, family, loved ones, and other caregivers. Information about Quadramet® is also available at www.cytogen.com. A copy of the full prescribing information for Quadramet® may be obtained in the United States from Cytogen Corporation by calling toll free at 800-833- 3533 or by visiting www.cytogen.com.
Please remember that myeloma, like all cancers, is a complicated disease. A doctor or nurse should address any specific questions about treatment.