Phase I/II clinical study of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) as palliation for painful malignant vertebral compression fractures (PMVCF): JIVROSG-0202

Materials and methods: After confirming the absence of safety issues in phase 1, a total of 33 cases were registered up to and including phase 2. Safety and efficacy were evaluated by National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Criteria version 2 and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at 1 week after PVP. Based on VAS score decreases, efficacy was classified into significantly effective (SE; >= 5 or reached 0-2), moderately effective (ME; 2-4), or ineffective (NE; < 2 or increase). Results: Procedures were completed in all 33 patients (42 vertebrae). Thirty days after PVP, two patients died of primary disease progression, but no major adverse reactions (> grade 2) were observed. Response rate was 70% (95% confidence interval 54% to 83%) [61% (n = 20) with SE, 9% (n = 3) with ME, and 30% (n = 10) with NE] and increased to 83% at week 4. Median time to response was 1 day (mean 2.4). Median pain-mitigated survival period was 73 days. Conclusion: For PMVCF, PVP is a safe and effective treatment modality with immediate onset of action.