OBJECTIVE Vertebral metastases are a common manifestation in patients with advanced cancer and treatment is often ineffective. This study was conducted to explore the efficacy of treating vertebral metastases by percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) combined with interventional chemotherapy.METHODS Seventy-five patients with vertebral metastases (42 men, 33women; ages 31～76 years) were divided into 2 groups: 39 cases were treated by PVP combined with chemotherapy (VPCC group), and 36 cases were treated by PVP alone (VP group). All procedures were guided by computed tomography (CT) scanning. The results and complications were evaluated by a questionnaire regarding pain and routine follow-up.RESULTS The response rate was significantly higher in the VPCC group than in the VP group (93.0% vs 74.4%, P＜0.05); total response rates for the VPCC and VP groups were 25.6% and 10.3% respectively. A common complication related to VPCC was transient aggravating pain.CONCLUSION PVP may ameliorate pain, and consolidate the vertebrae of patients with vertebral metastases. Its short-term effect may be enhanced by adding drugs into the bone cement.