title: [Bone targeting agents: bisphosphonates].
abstract: Malignant tumor osteolysis is a frequent complication in many cancers. It can cause skeletal-related events with alteration of quality of life and survival. Bisphosphonates play an important role in the management of this malignant osteolysis, via an inhibition of osteoclast-mediated bone resorption, and a potential direct antitumor activity. Their use constitutes an important therapeutic advance in patients with bone metastases so as to reduce or delay the appearance of these skeletal events. They are also useful for the treatment of hypercalcemia, which could arise in these patients. Their interest as adjuvant therapy before the onset of bone metastases is currently being evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Université de Poitiers, CHU de Poitiers, service de rhumatologie, 2, rue de la Milétrie, 86021 Poitiers, France.
authors.forename: Françoise
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Debiais
mesh_terms: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary*; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D010014:Osteolysis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates
keywords: bisphosphonates; bone metastases; malignant osteolysis