Extended Use of Intravenous Bisphosphonate Therapy for the Prevention of Skeletal Complications in Patients with Cancer
ByOver the last 20 years, bisphosphonates have been used for the treatment of bone metastases (SREs). Intravenous administration of bisphosphonates is generally safe and well tolerated with long-term use, and the development of more potent, second- and third-generation bisphosphonates has greatly improved the convenience (due to shorter infusion time) and clinical activity of these agents.
Members of the Department of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH performed a study to evaluate the incidence of skeletal complications in patients with multiple myeloma, and metastatic breast, prostate and lung cancers, when therapy with intravenous bisphosphonates is continued for longer than 21 months.
The primary outcome, the diagnosis of at least one skeletal-related event (SRE) after 21 months of therapy, was 30%. The secondary outcome, the incidence of osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ) was 3%, while six patients (5%) were referred to a dentist for suspected ONJ.
The extended use of bisphosphonate therapy appears to provide a continued benefit when they are given for longer than 21 months.
Reference:
Cancer Invest. 2009 Dec;27(10):984-8, Crawford BS, McNulty RM, Kraut EH, Turowski RC.
PubMed Abstract
PMID:19909013
Joel T Nowak MA, MSW
