title: [Bisphosphonates in the treatment and prevention of bone metastases].
abstract: Bone metastases occur frequently in cancer and are commonly associated with bone degradation due to the tumoral production of factors which stimulate the development and activation of osteoclasts. During osteolysis growth factors are released which stimulate tumour growth. Bisphosphonates inhibit osteoclastic bone resorption. Recently, in several large randomised studies of patients with multiple myeloma or bone metastases of breast cancer, long-term treatment with clodronate or pamidronate gave significant bone protection.
authors.affiliation: Afd. Geneeskundige Oncologie. Academisch Ziekenhuis Vrije Universiteit. Amsterdam.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hoekman
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: van Holten-Verzantvoort
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Pinedo
mesh_terms: D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000556:secondary*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000473:pathology; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000187:drug effects; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D004164:Diphosphonates