A Phase III trial has found that denosumab significantly reduces the risk of symptomatic bone metastases. Almost 1500 men with prostate cancer but no bone metastases were administered XGEVA®, a monoclonal antibody that binds to a protein responsible for the function of osteoclasts.
The drug was found to prevent the osteoclasts from functioning correctly thereby lessening the break done of bone. At the conclusion of the trial the men were found to have increased their metastasis-free survival from 25 months to almost 30 months in comparison to a placebo group although overall survival was not affected.
The side effects of denosumab include hypocalcaemia and men who undergo denosumab treatment are advised to have their calcium levels monitored and to receive additional dental care.
