Rapid infusion of ibandronate in lung cancer patients with bone metastases.
BACKGROUND
The high prevalence of bone metastases in stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients contributes substantially to the burden of the disease by resulting in significant skeletal morbidity. Ibandronate is a new generation of bisphosphonates (BPs) with demonstrated clinical benefit in breast and prostate cancer patients with bone metastases.


METHODS
In 32 patients with newly diagnosed NSCLC and bone metastases, 4 mg of ibandronate were administered, as a rapid 20-minute intravenous infusion every 3-4 weeks.


RESULTS
A total of 189 infusions were administered over a 24-month period, during which a statistically significant decrease in calcium serum levels (p=0.03) was observed. The serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were also decreased, but not significantly. With regard to clinical efficacy, 24 of our patients stabilized or reduced their need for analgesic treatment. The reduced time of infusion (20 min vs. 2 h) did not correlate with any side-effects, including vital sign deterioration and renal dysfunction.


CONCLUSIONS
The rapid infusion of ibandronate in lung cancer patients with bone metastases is a safe and convenient procedure that may be administered in a day-clinic setting.
Kiagia
Maria
M
Oncology Unit, Third Department of Medicine, Athens School of Medicine, Sotiria General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Karapanagiotou
Eleni
E
Charpidou
Adriani
A
Dilana
Kalliopi
K
Dionellis
Georgios
G
Dannos
Ioannis
I
Georgiou
Evangellos
E
Syrigos
Konstantinos N
KN
D000368:Aged; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077557:Ibandronic Acid; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D000077557:Ibandronic Acid