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Clinical efficacy of denosumab versus bisphosphonates for the prevention of bone complications: implications for nursing

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Abstract

Antiresorptive therapies are used for the prevention of skeletal-related events (SREs) associated with metastatic bone disease related to breast cancer, prostate cancer, and other solid tumors. This review highlights the central role of nurses in supporting and educating advanced cancer patients regarding the consequences of bone metastases and SREs, including therapy management options. Contemporary clinical journals reporting evidence-based studies were reviewed. SREs associated with bone metastases can significantly impact the quality of life of advanced cancer patients. Denosumab therapy, an advancement in antiresorptive treatments, significantly prevents and delays the time to develop SREs. In the multifaceted approach required for successful and consistent management of SREs associated with bone metastases, antiresorptive therapies can play a central role in maintaining the functional independence of patients through the prevention of debilitating SREs, thereby preserving quality of life.

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Acknowledgments

Medical writing assistance for this manuscript was provided by Albert Rhee, Amgen Inc. and James Ziobro, on behalf of Amgen Inc.

Conflict of interest

Cynthia Campbell-Baird received payments in the past from both Amgen and Novartis for lectures, including service on speaker’s bureaus, and her institution received grants in the past from both Amgen and Novartis. Stacey Harrelson has no relationships/conditions/circumstances that present potential conflict of interest. Georgette Frey received travel support from Amgen Inc. for the European Oncology Nursing Society Meeting in 2012. Arun Balakumaran was an employee of and owns stock in Amgen Inc. This study was funded by Amgen Inc.

Compliance with ethical standards

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncology, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Drive, H046, C6615, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA

    Cynthia Campbell-Baird

  2. Carolina Urologic Research Center, 823 82nd Parkway, Suite B, Myrtle Beach, SC, 29572, USA

    Stacey Harrelson

  3. Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, 1515 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA

    Georgette Frey

  4. Amgen Inc., One Amgen Center Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA, 91320, USA

    Arun Balakumaran

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  1. Cynthia Campbell-Baird
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Correspondence to Cynthia Campbell-Baird.

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Campbell-Baird, C., Harrelson, S., Frey, G. et al. Clinical efficacy of denosumab versus bisphosphonates for the prevention of bone complications: implications for nursing. Support Care Cancer 23, 3625–3632 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-2887-2

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