The stumble-from pipe cleaner to bone builder.
OBJECTIVE
To review the history of the transition of bisphosphonate use from bench chemistry to clinical applications.


METHODS
Pertinent medical literature, including limited-distribution as well as peer-reviewed publications, was reviewed.


RESULTS
Bisphosphonates were originally developed to interfere with calcium deposition. An expanded understanding of bone physiology, as well as a growing appreciation of bisphosphonate chemistry, allowed a broadening range of clinical applications.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of bisphosphonates in clinical medicine depended on a series of fortuitous events that, at the time, were "stumbles," not unlike the discoveries of Fleming and Newton. The logical sequence is more apparent in retrospect.
Swislocki
Arthur L M
AL
Medical Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, Northern California Health Care System, Martinez, California 94553, USA.
Wexler
Jason A
JA
D000818:Animals; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000188:drug therapy; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans
D004164:Diphosphonates