Zoledronic acid better than pamidronate for bone metastases from breast cancer

Zoledronic acid is more effective than pamidronate in preventing skeletal complications in breast cancer patients with at least one osteolytic bone lesion, according to a report published in the January 1st issue of Cancer. The findings are based on a study of 1130 patients with bone metastases.

Patients were randomized to receive zoledronic acid, at one of 2 doses, or pamidronate every 3 to 4 weeks for 12 months. About half of the patients in each group had at least one osteolytic lesion.In the overall analysis, the three treatments were equally effective in preventing skeletal-related events (SRE), such as pathologic fracture and spinal cord compression. In each group, about 44% of subjects experienced a SRE.When the analysis was limited to patients with osteolytic lesions, however, zoledronic acid offered some benefits over pamidronate, lead author Dr. Lee S. Rosen, from the Cancer Institute Medical Group in Los Angeles, and colleagues note. Treatment with zoledronic acid seemed to reduce the risk of SRE and prolong the time to first SRE compared with pamidronate.Although clinical benefits were seen with both doses of zoledronic acid, the lower 4-mg dose seemed to be as effective as the higher 8-mg dose, but with a better side effect profile.The current findings suggest ‘zoledronic acid is superior to pamidronate for the treatment of bone metastases in breast carcinoma patients with at least one osteolytic lesion,’ the researchers conclude.(Source: Cancer 2004;100:36-43: Reuters Health: January 15, 2004: Oncolink)