New Research Findings on Clinical Benefits of Bisphosphonates in Patients With Advanced Prostate Cancer

ObjectivesBone metastases develop in the majority of patients with advanced prostate cancer, and this fact puts these patients at high risk for potentially debilitating skeletal complications. Emerging therapies for the prevention of these complications are important for preserving patients’ quality of life.MethodsExisting and novel therapies were identified and researched through PubMed and published guidelines.ResultsSeveral trials have examined the effects of bisphosphonates on bone metastases. However, zoledronic acid is the only bisphosphonate to demonstrate significant objective benefits in a long-term, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial in men with bone metastases secondary to hormone-refractory prostate cancer. Intravenous zoledronic acid (4 mg by 15-min infusion every 3 wk) provided significant benefits compared with placebo, including a reduction in all types of skeletal complications. In addition, zoledronic acid significantly (p < 0.05) decreased bone pain levels compared with placebo at the first on-study pain assessment, and benefits remained significant at the 24-mo time point (p < 0.05).ConclusionsZoledronic acid provides significant benefit to patients with bone metastases secondary to hormone-refractory prostate cancer. It reduces all types of skeletal-related events, decreases bone pain levels, and may provide additional benefits.