Samarium 153 (Sm-153) therapy is a targeted radionuclide therapy used in the treatment of painful metastatic bone disease. It involves the use of samarium Sm 153 lexidronam, a radiopharmaceutical agent that is specifically taken up by bone tissue. The therapy has been shown to provide pain relief and decrease analgesic consumption in most treated patients, with limited side effects such as transient and relatively mild platelet and neutrophil suppression.
Samarium Sm 153 lexidronam is administered intravenously as a sterile, non-pyrogenic, clear, colourless to light amber isotonic solution. It is important to note that this therapy should not be given concurrently with chemotherapy or external beam radiation therapy unless the clinical benefits outweigh the risks. Additionally, it should not be administered after either of these treatments until there has been adequate time for marrow recovery due to potential additive effects on bone marrow.
