Reduced morbidity from skeletal metastases in breast cancer patients during long-term bisphosphonate (APD) treatment
Van Holten-Verzantvoort, A.T.; Bijvoet, O.L.; Cleton, F.J.; Hermans, J.; Kroon, H.M.; Harinck, H.I.; Vermey, P.; Elte, J.W.; Neijt, J.P.; Beex, L.V.
Lancet 2(8566): 983-985
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0140-6736
PMID: 2889957
DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(87)92555-4
Accession: 041198641
131 patients with osteolytic metastases from breast cancer were randomised to receive long-term oral treatment with aminohydroxy-propylidene-bisphosphonate (APD), 300 mg daily (n = 70), or to act as controls (n = 61) in a multicentre trial. Specific antitumour therapy was at the discretion of the clinician and variable. An interim analysis was made after a median follow-up of 13 months in the APD group and 14 months in the controls. There was a significant reduction in pathological fractures and severe bone pain in the APD group, and hypercalcaemia was prevented. Consequently the necessity for radiotherapy for skeletal complications was more than halved; the number of systemic therapy changes was also reduced. Gastrointestinal side-effects of APD led to a drop-out of 8% of patients. Oral supportive APD therapy is simple and convenient, and significantly reduced skeletal morbidity in advanced breast cancer.