title: Oral versus intravenous ibandronic acid: a comparison of treatment options for metastatic bone disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This trial is the first to compare directly the clinical response to and safety of oral and intravenous (IV) ibandronic acid for metastatic bone disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients > or =18 years with breast, prostate, lung, urogenital or colon cancer received IV ibandronic acid 6 mg infused over 15 min every 28 days or oral ibandronic acid 50 mg/day. Clinical response was determined using bone scintigraphy, radiography and serum C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (S-CTX) at months 3-6. Adverse events and biochemical safety measures were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 84.6 and 88.5% of patients had a complete/partial response to IV and oral ibandronic acid, respectively. Median percentage decreases in S-CTX were -39 and -35%, respectively. Bone pain scores decreased and analgesic use increased from month 0-3 and were stable from months 3-6. Both formulations improved physical and functioning scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral and IV ibandronic acid for bone metastases have similar efficacy and tolerability.
authors.affiliation: Pain Relief and Palliative Care Unit, Department of Radiology, Areteion Hospital, University of Athens School of Medicine, 27 Korinthias St., 11526 Ampelokipi, Athens, Greece. mistakidou@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Kyriaki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mystakidou
authors.forename: Evangelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stathopoulou
authors.forename: Efi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Parpa
authors.forename: Vassilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kouloulias
authors.forename: Evangelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kouskouni
authors.forename: Lambros
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vlahos
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077557:Ibandronic Acid; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D000077557:Ibandronic Acid