In a nutshell
The authors aimed to evaluate the benefit of reducing the dosage of bisphosphonate therapy (such as Fosamax or Reclast) for women with bone metastasis (the original cancer has spread to the bones).
Some background
Bisphosphonate therapy is a treatment used to prevent the loss of bone mass. Women who have developed bone metastasis from breast cancer generally receive this therapy alongside their chemotherapy regimen. It is administered every 3-4 weeks for the duration of the chemotherapy. Bisphosphonate use, however, is associated with certain side effects, such as renal (kidney) toxicities.
A dose reduction to every 12 weeks may reduce the toxicities. It is not clear if this will reduce treatment benefits.
Methods & findings
The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical benefits of a reduced dose of bisphosphonate.
A total of 71 women were evaluated for this study, all of whom, had bone metastasis for approximately 15 months. Patients received bisphosphonate therapy every 12 weeks. Levels of C-telopeptides (CTx, a marker of bone breakdown) were measured, as were the number of skeletal-related events (SREs, damage to bone such as a fracture).
61% of the patients completed the treatment course. 14.1% stopped treatment due to an increase in CTx. 12.7% stopped due to an SRE.
Overall, 17% of patients (including those that left the study) developed an SRE within 1 year of beginning the therapy.
No renal toxicities were observed in patients with this new therapy dose.
The bottom line
The authors confirmed that a reduced dosage of bisphosphonate for breast cancer patients with bone metastasis was safe and effective.
The fine print
This study contained a small group of people.
What’s next?
If you are undergoing treatment for bone metastasis and are experiencing bone pain, you should consult your doctor about the possibility of beginning bone therapy treatment.
Published By :
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
Date :
Mar 18, 2014
