Effect of pamidronate administration on markers of bone turnover and disease activity in multiple myeloma.
OBJECTIVE
Bisphosphonates are potent inhibitors of osteoclastic activity and are used in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) in combination with chemotherapy. The effect of pamidronate on markers of bone resorption [cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collagen (NTx)], markers of bone formation [serum alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and osteocalcin (OSC)], interleukin-6 (IL-6), beta2-microglobulin, CRP, paraprotein and disease-related pain and skeletal events has been evaluated in 62 newly diagnosed patients with MM.


METHODS
The patients were randomly assigned to two groups: the first included 32 patients under chemotherapy and pamidronate (group I) and the second 30 patients on chemotherapy only (group II). Pamidronate was administered at a monthly dose of 90 mg iv, and the above parameters were evaluated at the beginning of this study and after 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 14 months of treatment.


RESULTS
The addition of pamidronate to chemotherapy resulted in a significant reduction of NTx, IL-6 and paraprotein from the 3rd month and of beta2-microglobulin, CRP and pain from the 6th month of treatment. No changes of NTx, IL-6, beta2-microglobulin, CRP or skeletal events were observed in patients of group II, while paraprotein was significantly reduced after 6 months of treatment. The differences in NTx, IL-6, paraprotein and beta2-microglobulin were statistically significant between the two groups. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant correlation between changes of NTx, changes of IL-6 in both groups and reduction of pain and paraprotein in group I.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that pamidronate may have a synergistic action with chemotherapy in decreasing osteoclastic activity, in reducing markers of myeloma activity and myeloma related pain and in improving the quality of life in patients with MM.
Terpos
E
E
First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Athens Medical School, Laiko Hospital, Greece. evsiterp@itel.gr
Palermos
J
J
Tsionos
K
K
Anargyrou
K
K
Viniou
N
N
Papassavas
P
P
Meletis
J
J
Yataganas
X
X
D000368:Aged; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000652:urine; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects*; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000652:urine; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000652:urine; D003094:Collagen / Q000652:urine; D024042:Collagen Type I; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000652:urine; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects; D000077268:Pamidronate; D010266:Paraproteins / Q000652:urine; D010455:Peptides / Q000652:urine; D013997:Time Factors; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000652:urine
D015415:Biomarkers; D024042:Collagen Type I; D004164:Diphosphonates; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010266:Paraproteins; D010455:Peptides; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; C052929:collagen type I trimeric cross-linked peptide; D015675:Osteocalcin; D003094:Collagen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D000077268:Pamidronate