title: The role of bisphosphonates in early- and advanced-stage breast cancer: have we finally optimized care?
abstract: Bisphosphonates have played an important role in the treatment of breast cancer, mainly in patients with bone metastasis, by reducing the risk of fracture, spinal cord compression, and hypercalcemia. Both oral and intravenous products are available and have strong supporting clinical evidence. Zoledronic acid, the most frequently used intravenous agent, has traditionally been given on a monthly dosing schedule. A novel every-12-weeks maintenance dosing schedule shows clinical equivalence and promises to improve safety, affordability, and quality of care. The Early Breast Cancer Trialists' Collaborative Group has recently helped clarify the controversial benefit of bisphosphonates in the adjuvant setting. Based on their meta-analysis, we now have strong evidence supporting the use of adjuvant bisphosphonates to help prevent the development of bone metastasis in postmenopausal breast cancer patients, which leads to a significant improvement in breast cancer-specific survival. We eagerly await the full publication of this practice-changing study, which continues the incremental advance of the treatment of patients with breast cancer.
authors.forename: Phillip S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Blanchette
authors.forename: Kathleen I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Pritchard
mesh_terms: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates