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Gallium nitrate inhibits calcium resorption from bone and is effective treatment for cancer-related hypercalcemia

Journal Article · · J. Clin. Invest.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI111353· OSTI ID:6748012
Approximately two-thirds of patients who receive the anticancer drug gallium nitrate develop mild hypocalcemia. To evaluate the mechanism of drug-induced hypocalcemia, we tested the effects of gallium nitrate upon in vitro release of /sup 45/Ca++ from explanted fetal rat bones. The drug significantly inhibited /sup 45/Ca++ release in response to stimulation with both parathyroid hormone and a lymphokine preparation with osteoclast activating factor activity. The inhibitory effects on bone resorption were both time- and dose-dependent. Later, in a pilot study, we treated 10 patients who had cancer-related hypercalcemia with gallium nitrate administered by continuous infusion. All patients responded by a reduction of total serum calcium to normal or subnormal concentrations (13.8 +/- 1.05 mg/dl, mean +/- SD pretreatment, to 8.03 +/- 1.03 mg/dl, mean posttreatment nadir). Our results indicate that gallium nitrate effectively treats cancer-related hypercalcemia and that it probably acts by inhibiting calcium release from bone.
Research Organization:
Developmental Chemotherapy Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
OSTI ID:
6748012
Journal Information:
J. Clin. Invest.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Clin. Invest.; (United States) Vol. 73:5; ISSN JCINA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English