title: Zoledronic acid to prevent skeletal complications in cancer: corroborating the evidence.
abstract: Bone metastases are a major cause of cancer morbidity. Bone metastases are associated with pain, fractures, spinal cord compression, ineffective haematopoiesis, and hypocalcaemia of malignancy. The goals of treatment for bone metastases are to prevent disease-related skeletal complications, palliate pain, and maintain quality of life. Bisphosphonates are a standard part of supportive care for patients with bone metastases. Zoledronic acid, a nitrogen containing third generation bisphosphonate, is the most active and is the most thoroughly investigated bisphosphonate for metastatic bone disease. The efficacy and safety of zoledronic acid has been established in three pivotal prospective, randomized controlled trials involving more than 3000 subjects. The evidence is reviewed here with a focus on clinical relevance. Across a broad array of tumour types, zoledronic acid (4 mg intravenously over 15 min every 3-4 weeks) decreased the frequency of skeletal-related events, delayed the time to a first skeletal-related event, and reduced pain. Zoledronic acid is more effective than pamidronate in breast cancer and the only bisphosphonate proven effective for metastatic prostate cancer, lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma and other solid tumours.
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Boston, 02114, USA. smith.matthew@mgh.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Matthew R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D007093:Imidazoles; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid