title: Treatment of skeletal Erdheim-Chester disease with zoledronic acid: case report and proposed mechanisms of action.
abstract: Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis characterized by tissue infiltration of lipid-laden macrophages, multinucleated giant cells, and inflammatory infiltrate of lymphocytes and histiocytes. The disease typically involves long bone, but may also affect the central nervous system, the orbit, retroperitoneal organs, and the lungs. Patients with visceral involvement tend to have poorer outcome. There is no proven effective treatment for ECD to date. However, recent data suggested the potential use of bisphosphonates for the treatment of this rare disease. Here we report a case of biopsy-proven skeletal ECD, who received treatment with zoledronic acid, an aminobisphosphonate, with remarkable clinical improvement. We also discuss possible mechanisms of action of bisphosphonates in this disorder, especially their roles in inhibition of inflammatory cytokines and macrophage infiltration.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Section, Hunter Holmes McGuire Medical Center, 1201 Broad Rock Blvd, 111M, Richmond, VA 23249, USA. thitinan.srikulmontree@va.gov
authors.forename: Thitinan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Srikulmontree
authors.forename: H Davis
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Massey
authors.forename: W Neal
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D031249:Erdheim-Chester Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D007093:Imidazoles; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid