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Prolonged Efficacy of a Single Dose of the Bisphosphonate Zoledronic Acid

Authors' Affiliations: ¹ Academic Unit of Clinical Oncology, Weston Park Hospital and ² Metabolic Bone Unit, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom

Requests for reprints: Janet E. Brown, Cancer Research UK Clinical Centre in Leeds, JIF Building, St. James' University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF, United Kingdom. Phone: 44-113-2064184; Fax: 44-113-2460136; E-mail: J.E.Brown{at}leeds.ac.uk.

Purpose: Bisphosphonates play a central role in the management of bone loss due to a range of disorders, including metastatic bone disease, cancer treatment–induced bone loss, and postmenopausal osteoporosis. With potent bisphosphonates, such as zoledronic acid, it may be possible to maintain efficacy with relatively infrequent administration.

Experimental Design: Sixty-six patients who were osteopenic at >1 year following curative cancer therapy received a single i.v. 4 mg dose of the bisphosphonate zoledronic acid. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using double-beam X-ray absorptiometry scan and the bone resorption marker N-telopeptide of type II collagen was determined using a chemiluminescence ELISA assay.

Results: The single dose of zoledronic acid induced mean increases in bone BMD at the lumbar spine of 3.1%, 5.2%, and 5.3% and at the total hip of 2.7%, 3.5%, and 4.3% after 12, 24, and 36 months of follow-up, respectively (P < 0.001 at all time points). By 36 months, 84% of patients had achieved increase in BMD at the spine and 90% at the hip. The mean percentage decrease in the bone resorption marker N-telopeptide was 58% at 6 weeks and 42%, 33%, and 31% at 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: A single dose of zoledronic acid in patients with low BMD results in a sustained increase in BMD and a corresponding decrease in bone resorption. Very infrequent administration of zoledronic acid may have clinical benefits in terms of convenience, reduced toxicity, improved compliance, and cost.