Therapy insight: the risks and benefits of bisphosphonates for the treatment of tumor-induced bone disease.
Bisphosphonates are a valuable class of drugs with potent anti-resorptive actions that make them ideal for skeletal protection in osteoporosis, cancer bone metastasis, multiple myeloma, and Paget's disease of bone. It has become apparent, however, that these drugs also have the potential to cause a number of adverse effects. While these do not limit bisphosphonate use, the incidence of these adverse events can be minimized if appropriate care is taken with their administration, and by maintaining appropriate surveillance and patient care. We review the range of adverse reactions to bisphosphonate therapy with a particular emphasis on the recently identified association between long-term bisphosphonate treatment and osteonecrosis of the jaw. This is a potentially serious side effect seen mostly in patients with multiple myeloma or breast cancer bone metastases who receive intravenous bisphosphonate treatment. While the etiology is uncertain, a strong association with dental pathology and interventions highlights the need for close attention to dental health in this patient group.
Dunstan
Colin R
CR
Bone Research Program, ANZAC Research Institute, The University of Sydney at Concord, Concord, NSW 2139, Australia. cdunstan@anzac.edu.au
Felsenberg
Dieter
D
Seibel
Markus J
MJ
D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007571:Jaw Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy
D004164:Diphosphonates