Comparative effects of clodronate and calcitonin on bone in metastatic breast cancer: a histomorphometric study.
We studied the effects of long-term treatment with clodronate, calcitonin or placebo on bone in 36 normocalcaemic women with osteolytic metastases due to breast cancer. Clodronate (1.6 g daily given to 12 patients) induced a significant decrease in osteoclast surface and osteoclast number, and a significant fall in serum calcium and urinary excretion of calcium and hydroxyproline, an effect not noted after treatment with calcitonin (100 U in 12 patients) or in 12 placebo-treated patients. Treatment with clodronate did not abnormally suppress bone turnover nor impair mineralisation, as measured by bone formation and mineral apposition rates.
Taube
T
T
Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
Elomaa
I
I
Blomqvist
C
C
Beneton
M N
MN
Kanis
J A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000473:pathology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002452:Cell Count; D004002:Clodronic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006909:Hydroxyproline / Q000652:urine; D008875:Middle Aged; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000473:pathology
D004002:Clodronic Acid; D002116:Calcitonin; D006909:Hydroxyproline; D002118:Calcium