Bisphosphonates: prevention of bone metastases in lung cancer.
In patients with lung cancer, bone is one of the most frequent sites of distant spread, with approximately 30% of patients developing skeletal metastases. About half of these patients will experience a skeletal-related event, the occurrence of which not only affects quality of life, but is also associated with poor prognosis. Bisphosphonates are currently the mainstay for treating bone metastases in patients with lung cancer, with proven beneficial effects on prevention and delay of skeletal complications. Their role in preventing the development of skeletal metastases, their anti-tumoral properties and their effect on survival remain to be elucidated. Other bone-targeted therapies are being investigated in phase II and III clinical trials and might expand the therapeutic arsenal in the near future.
Department of Pulmonology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium. michael.gnant@meduniwien.ac.at
Lynn
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Decoster
Filippo
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de Marinis
Kostas
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Syrigos
Vera
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Hirsh
Kristiaan
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Nackaerts
D000818:Animals; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000556:secondary*; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates