Usefulness of radium-223 in patients with bone metastases.

Castration-resistant prostate osseous metastases can be challenging to treat. There is a new era of clinical advancement with the Food and Drug Administration approval of radium-223 for use in these patients. Radium-223 is the only clinically used therapeutic radiopharmaceutical that emits alpha particles, making it extremely safe for therapeutic purposes for the patient as well as close contacts. This review discusses radium-223's mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, indications, and safety profile, as well as findings of concluded clinical trials.