Analgesic efficacy of zoledronic acid and its effect on functional status of prostate cancer patients with metastasis.
OBJECTIVE
A multi-centered observational study evaluated the efficacy of zoledronic acid for improving pain and mobility, and preventing skeletal-related events (SRE) (fracture, spinal compression, pain-relieving radiotherapy), in patients with prostate cancer and bone metastasis.


METHODS
Males (n = 218) with prostate cancer and bone metastasis undergoing oncologic therapy received zoledronic acid (4 mg iv/month) for 6 months. Parameters evaluated were: 1) pain and movement after 2 consecutive doses; 2) quality of life; 3) SRE incidence and time-to-appearance. Medication tolerance and treatment satisfaction were assessed using a questionnaire.


RESULTS
A total of 170 that matched all the inclusion criteria (78%) out of 218 were evaluable for efficacy. There was a measurable statistically significant reduction in pain at rest and on movement as well as an improvement in the quality of life compared with baseline. Best results were obtained with early treatment. Overall incidence of bone events was 11.2%. Of the 212 patients (97.2%) evaluable for safety, 16% suffered adverse events and 66% expressed satisfaction with the treatment


CONCLUSIONS
Zoledronic acid is effective for reducing pain, improving mobility, and increasing the quality of life in patients with prostate cancer with bone metastasis. Its easy administration and good tolerability make zoledronic acid one of the principal therapeutic tools in the management of patients with pain associated with bone metastasis from prostate cancer.
Gálvez
Rafael
R
Pain and Palliative Care Unit, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain;
Ribera
Victoria
V
González-Escalada
José Ramón
JR
Souto
Alicia
A
Cánovas
María Luz
ML
Castro
Andrés
A
Herrero
Begoña
B
de Los Angeles Maqueda
María
M
Castilforte
Matilde
M
Marco-Martínez
José Javier
JJ
Pérez
Concepción
C
Vicente-Fatela
Lorenza
L
Md
Consuelo Nieto
CN
Orduña
Maria José
MJ
Padrol
Anna
A
Reig
Enrique
E
Carballido
Joaquín
J
Cózar
José Manuel
JM