Critical hypercalcemia following discontinuation of denosumab therapy for metastatic giant cell tumor of bone

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2015 Jun;62(6):1078-80. doi: 10.1002/pbc.25393. Epub 2015 Jan 3.

Abstract

We report a 14 year-old female with Giant Cell Tumor of Bone, successfully treated with denosumab, who developed critical hypercalcemia after completion of therapy. Five months after her last denosumab treatment, serum calcium rose to 16.5 mg/dL (normal 8.7-10.8 mg/dL), nearly double her prior level of 8.4 mg/dL while receiving denosumab. She required emergent intervention to treat her hypercalcemia, which was attributed to rebound osteoclast activity and osteopetrotic bone. Denosumab is widely used in adults and increasingly in pediatric oncology populations and our experience demonstrates the need for close monitoring for electrolyte derangements following discontinuation.

Keywords: denosumab; giant cell tumor of bone; hypercalcemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / adverse effects*
  • Bone Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Bone Neoplasms / pathology
  • Denosumab
  • Female
  • Giant Cell Tumor of Bone / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Hypercalcemia / chemically induced*
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • RANK Ligand / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • RANK Ligand
  • Denosumab