title: Rapid infusion of ibandronate in lung cancer patients with bone metastases.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Oncology Unit, Third Department of Medicine, Athens School of Medicine, Sotiria General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kiagia
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Karapanagiotou
authors.forename: Adriani
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Charpidou
authors.forename: Kalliopi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dilana
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dionellis
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dannos
authors.forename: Evangellos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Georgiou
authors.forename: Konstantinos N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Syrigos
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D000077557:Ibandronic Acid