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The role of bisphosphonates in the treatment of bone metastases — the U.S. experience

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Abstract

Frequent complications of bone metastases include pain, pathologic fracture, hypercalcemia and spinal cord compression. Lytic bone metastases result from excessive activation of osteoclasts by tumor-produced cytokines. Aredia (pamidronate) is a potent bisphosphonate that inhibits osteoclast activation. In two dose-seeking phase I trials in patients with breast cancer and prostate cancer, repeated intravenous infusion of Aredia was shown to be safe and effective in reducing bone resorption and pain. In a randomized phase III trial of 377 patients with multiple myeloma, Aredia was administered in a dosage of 90 mg i.v. every 4 weeks. Compared with placebo, treatment with Aredia was associated with a significant decrease in bone pain and in the incidence and time to development of all skeleton-related events. Data from two phase III breast cancer trials each involving 300 patients are now being analyzed. The newer bisphosphonates can safely be used together with standard anticancer therapy to provide effective palliation of symptoms caused by lytic bone metastases.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University, P.O. Box 850, 17033, Hershey, PA, USA

    Harold A. Harvey & Allan Lipton

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  1. Harold A. Harvey
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  2. Allan Lipton
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Presented in part as an invited lecture at the 7th International Symposium: Supportive Care in Cancer, Luxembourg, 20–23 September 1995

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Harvey, H.A., Lipton, A. The role of bisphosphonates in the treatment of bone metastases — the U.S. experience. Support Care Cancer 4, 213–217 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01682343

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