title: Anticancer effect of bisphosphonates: new insights from clinical trials and preclinical evidence.
abstract: Bisphosphonates (BPs) are cornerstones in the treatment of patients with compromised skeletal integrity (either cancer related or not). However, a major indication for BPs use remains the treatment of patients with advanced cancer metastatic to the bone. Recently, several observations derived from clinical trials, primarily aimed at establishing the impact of BPs on the bone health of cancer patients, suggested a potential role for these agents as direct anti-tumor drugs. Consequently, a series of preclinical works were produced with the aim of clarifying the mechanism underlying this observed effect. However, the impact of such data is still under debate owing to the intrinsic weakness of observations from trials not adequately powered to support them. In conclusion, the entire matter remains one of the most intriguing in oncology, and data from ongoing and planned future studies will surely provide us with more information on the great potential of BPs in the adjuvant setting.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Trials Unit, National Cancer Institute, Via M Semmola 8013, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Daniele
authors.forename: Pasqualina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Luca
authors.forename: Maria Carmela
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Piccirillo
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Maio
authors.forename: Antonia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Del Giudice
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Feo
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bryce
authors.forename: Luana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lamura
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vecchione
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Normanno
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Perrone
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates