Routine use of pamidronate in NSCLC patients with bone metastasis: results from a retrospective analysis.
BACKGROUND
No data on the tolerability and effects of pamidronate in non-small cell lung cancer patients with bone metastasis are available. We performed a retrospective analysis to evaluate the routine use of pamidronate in these patients.


METHODS
One hundred and four patients with NSCLC were treated at our Day Hospital between May 2003 and February 2009. Forty-one (39.5%) presented with bone metastasis during the course of the disease. Thirty (73.2%) of these patients received pamidronate at a dose of 90 mg every four weeks.


RESULTS
The occurrence of bone metastasis was associated with a poor overall survival, but patients treated with pamidronate had a significantly better median overall survival than untreated patients (15.4 months vs. 2.1 months; p<0.001). Pamidronate was well tolerated and only grade 1 or 2 toxicities were registered.


CONCLUSIONS
The diagnosis of bone metastasis and the consequent routine administration of pamidronate have an impact on survival of NSCLC patients; this drug is a good candidate for routine use in haemato-oncological centres.
Spizzo
Gilbert
G
Department of Oncology and Haematology, Franz Tappeiner Hospital, Via Rossini 5, 39012 Merano, Italy.
Seeber
Andreas
A
Mitterer
Manfred
M
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D018196:Carcinoma, Adenosquamous / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D000077268:Pamidronate; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D000077268:Pamidronate