Extended Use of Intravenous Bisphosphonate Therapy for the Prevention of Skeletal Complications in Patients with Cancer

• Published in: Cancer investigation Vol. 27; no. 10; pp. 984 - 988
• Main Authors: Crawford, Brooke S., McNulty, Robert M., Kraut, Eric H., Turowski, Robert C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Informa UK Ltd 13-11-2009; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Bisphosphonate; Bone Density Conservation Agents - administration & dosage; Bone Density Conservation Agents - adverse effects; Bone Neoplasms - drug therapy; Bone Neoplasms - secondary; Breast cancers; Breast Neoplasms - drug therapy; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Diphosphonates - administration & dosage; Diphosphonates - adverse effects; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Fractures, Bone - etiology; Fractures, Bone - prevention & control; Humans; Imidazoles - administration & dosage; Imidazoles - adverse effects; Jaw Diseases - chemically induced; Late effects of therapy; Lung cancer; Lung Neoplasms - drug therapy; Lung Neoplasms - pathology; Male; Middle Aged; Multiple Myeloma - drug therapy; Multiple Myeloma - pathology; Myeloma; Osteonecrosis - chemically induced; Osteonecrosis of the jaws; Pamidronate; Prostatic Neoplasms - drug therapy; Prostatic Neoplasms - pathology; Retrospective Studies; Spinal Cord Compression - etiology; Spinal Cord Compression - prevention & control; Supportive care and symptom control; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Zoledronic acid
• ISSN: 0735-7907; 1532-4192
• DOI: 10.3109/07357900902783203

ABSTRACT
Purpose: To evaluate the incidence of skeletal complications in patients with multiple myeloma, and metastatic breast, prostate, or lung cancers, when therapy with intravenous bisphosphonates is continued for longer than 21 months. Methods: The primary outcome was the diagnosis of at least one skeletal-related event (SRE) after 21 months of therapy. The secondary outcome was the incidence of osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ). Results: The primary outcome was 30%. The secondary outcome was 3%, while six patients (5%) were referred to a dentist for suspected ONJ. Conclusion: There appears to be a continued benefit when intravenous bisphosphonates are given for longer than 21 months.