In a nutshell
This paper compared the effect of denosumab (Prolia) and zoledronic acid (Zometa) in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Denosumab could be considered in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.
Some background
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells of the blood. Multiple myeloma can cause bone loss. It increases the risk of bone-related events like fractures and compression of the spinal cord. Drugs like zoledronic acid are used to prevent such events. However, zoledronic acid cannot be used in patients with poor kidney function. Denosumab is another drug used to treat bone loss. It is not affected by kidney function.
Methods & findings
Patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma were studied. 850 patients received denosumab. They were followed-up for an average of 17.3 months. 852 patients received zoledronic acid. They were followed-up for an average of 17.6 months.
The time to a first bone-related event was similar between denosumab and zoledronic acid. The average time to the first bone-related event was 22.8 months in patients who received denosumab. The average time to the first bone-related event was 24 months in patients who received zoledronic acid.
The overall survival was similar between denosumab and zoledronic acid.
The most common adverse event (undesired outcome of treatment) were low levels of white blood cells and red blood cells. Pneumonia occurred in 8% of patients who received denosumab. Pneumonia occurred in 8% of patients who received zoledronic acid. Kidney function was negatively affected in 10% of patients who received denosumab. Kidney function was negatively affected in 17% of patients who received zoledronic acid.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that denosumab is as effective as zoledronic acid in improving the time to a bone-related event in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.
What’s next?
Talk to your doctor about treatment for bone protection.
Published By :
The Lancet. Oncology
Date :
Feb 08, 2018
