Introduction

Hypercalcemia of malignancy (HCM) is a life threatening complication seen in advanced cancer which if untreated can lead to renal failure, progressive mental impairment, coma, and death. Mechanisms are osteolytic resorption near the malignant cell invasion and parathyroid hormone–related peptide (PTHrP) induced increased bone resorption and renal calcium retention [1]. Conventionally HCM is treated with combination of hydration, diuresis with loop diuretics, calcitonin, steroids and bisphosphonates. However in many cases, HCM may be refractory or get relapsed on intravenous bisphosphonate therapy. Recurrent use of bisphosphonates carries a risk of kidney injury and osteonecrosis of jaw. In those patients, use of denosumab- a fully human monoclonal antibody which binds RANKL thereby reducing the osteoclastic bone resorption has shown good response. We report a case of hypocalcaemia in patient with metastatic carcinoma breast refractory to bisphosphonate which responded well to Denosumab .

Case report

A 61 year old female with a history of carcinoma breast with metastasis to lung, liver and peritoneum presented with confusion and dehydration to the oncology services. She had undergone modified radical mastectomy two years back followed by chemo radiotherapy. On evaluation she had no focalneurodeficit and MRI brain done to rule out CNS Mets was normal. The albumin corrected serum calcium level (ACSC) was 15.8 mg/dl with serum PTH - 34.4 pg/ml and vitamin D3 42.3 ng/ml which were within normal limits. In past 6 months she was admitted multiple times with persistent hypercalcemia which was treated with injection Zolendronic acid, Calcitonin , Hydrocortisone and saline diuresis , lastest two weeks ago. Since the hypercalcemia was refractory to Zolendronic acid, nephrology consult was sought for further management.

After evaluation by nephrology services, the hypercalcemia was attributed to humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy, though PTH- rP levels were not done due to non availability in the region. A trial of inj Calcitonin , Hydrocortisone and saline diuresis was given. Tab Cinacalcet 30 mg q12h was also tried. As there was no clinical response after two days and ACSC still > 15 mg/dl, it was decided to use inj Denosumab, a human monoclonal antibody binding RANKL. Denosumab is being used off-label by few centres worldwide to treat the bisphosphonate-refractory hypercalcemia though initially approved by FDA for the prevention of skeletal-related events in metastatic solid tumors. Inj Denosumab 120 mg s.c was given on day 1, 8, 15, 29 and 60. After the initiation of denosumab, the calcium level of the patient fell rapidly to near normal levels on 7^th day with clinical improvement in sensorium and oral intake. The patient was continued on tab Cinacalcet 30 mg q12h as a denosumab sparing strategy due to prohibitive cost. Tab Cinacalcet was subsequently tapered and stopped with normalisation of ACSC. The response achieved is still maintained on 3 months of follow up. (Table 1, Figure 1)

Discussion

Denosumab is a novel, fully human monoclonal antibody,which prevents the Receptor Activator of Nuclear factor Kappa B Ligand (RANKL) from binding to its receptor and inhibits osteoclast development, activation, and survival [2]. By decreasing the osteoclast mediated bone resorption it thus reduces the consequent hypercalcemia. It was initially approved by US FDA in 2010 for prevention of skeletal-related events in metastatic solid tumors. In phase III studies, it was noted that there was 52% lower incidence of HCM, more pronounced suppression of bone-turn over markers and significant hypocalcemia with denosumab than with zoledronic acid [3]. This observation has prompted it’s off label use for HCM refractory bisphosphonate therapy with few successful cases reported in literature [4-6].

There has been dearth of structured clinical trials studying the use of denosumab for refractory hypercalcemia. In study by Mimi I. Hu et al, [7] patients with advanced cancer and persistent hypercalcemia after incomplete response or relapse after recent bisphosphonate treatment, denosumab lowered serum calcium to grade 1 or lower (≤11.5 mg/dL) in 80% of patients by 10^th day and the response was maintained for a median of 26 days. The dose of Inj Denosumab 120 mg s.c was given on day 1, 8, 15, 29 and then every 4 weeks. Similar response was noted in our patient too. Hypocalcemia , hypophosphatemia, osteonecrosis of jaw and hypersensitivity reaction may be noted with Denosumab. It doesn’t require renal dose adjustment. There is recent evidence that cinacalcet , an allosteric modulator of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) attenuates PTHrP-mediated elevations in blood ionized calcium by increasing calcitonin release [8,9]. Thus denosumab as induction agent and cinacalcet as maintainance are novel treatment options in such difficult cases.

In conclusion, we suggest the use of denosumab in combination with cinacalcet as a successful treatment option for bisphosphonate refractory hypercalcemia of malignancy. Prohibitive cost and lack of validated data about its efficacy are the issues need to be addressed before its widespread use. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case in India of management of malignant hypercalcemia in a solid tumor with denosumab.

Days after inj Denosumab

Figure 1. Shows the response curve in ACSC and ionised calcium according to the day after initiation of inj Denosumab

Table 1. Shows levels of ACSC and ionised calcium as per the day after initiation of injection Denosumab

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