title: Utility of bisphosphonates in treating bone metastases.
abstract: Bone is the most common site of metastases from breast and prostate cancer, and bone destruction is characteristic of multiple myeloma. Increased osteoclast activity plays a key role in cancer-induced bone destruction. Bisphosphonates reduce osteoclastic bone resorption through various mechanisms as yet not fully elucidated. Bisphosphonates have proven to be effective in the treatment of tumor-induced hypercalcaemia. Several clinical trials indicated that these compounds can positively influence many aspects of neoplastic bone disease, however, many questions regarding their long-term efficacy and optimal therapeutic schedule await clarification from well-designed clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Research Laboratory, University Hospital S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy. gmerlini@mbox.medit.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Merlini
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Turesson
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000473:pathology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates