Use of Adjuvant Bisphosphonates and Other Bone-Modifying Agents in Breast Cancer: ASCO-OH (CCO) Guideline Update

PURPOSE To update recommendations of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)-Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario [CCO]) adjuvant bone-modifying agents in breast cancer guideline. METHODS An Expert Panel conducted a systematic review to identify new, potentially practice-changing data. RESULTS Four articles met eligibility criteria and form the evidentiary basis for revision of the previous recommendations. RECOMMENDATIONS Adjuvant bisphosphonate therapy should be discussed with all postmenopausal patients (natural or therapy-induced) with primary breast cancer, irrespective of hormone receptor status and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status, who are candidates to receive adjuvant systemic therapy. Adjuvant bisphosphonates, if used, are not substitutes for standard anticancer modalities. The benefit of adjuvant bisphosphonate therapy will vary depending on the underlying risk of recurrence and is associated with a modest improvement in overall survival. The NHS PREDICT tool provides estimates of the benefit of adjuvant bisphosphonate therapy and may aid in decision making. Factors influencing the decision to recommend adjuvant bisphosphonate use should include patients' risk of recurrence, risk of side effects, financial toxicity, drug availability, patient preferences, comorbidities, and life expectancy. When an adjuvant bisphosphonate is used to prevent breast cancer recurrence, the therapeutic options recommended by the Panel include oral clod ronate, oral ibandronate, and intravenous zoledronic acid. The Panel supports starting bisphosphonate therapy early, consistent with the points outlined in the parent CCO-ASCO guideline; this is a consensus recommendation. The Panel does not recommend adjuvant denosumab to prevent breast cancer recurrence, because studies did not show a consistent reduction of breast cancer recurrence in any subset of those with early-stage breast cancer. (C) 2022 by American Society of Clinical Oncology

Automated summary

This article updates the recommendations of adjuvant bone-modifying agents in breast cancer treatment. Adjuvant bisphosphonate therapy should be discussed with all postmenopausal patients with primary breast cancer, regardless of hormone receptor status and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status. Adjuvant bisphosphonates are not substitutes for standard anticancer modalities and their benefits vary depending on the risk of recurrence. Factors influencing the decision to recommend adjuvant bisphosphonate use include patients' risk of recurrence, side effect risk, financial toxicity, drug availability, patient preferences, comorbidities, and life expectancy. Therapeutic options for preventing breast cancer recurrence include oral clodronate, oral ibandronate, and intravenous zoledronic acid. Early initiation of bisphosphonate therapy is recommended, and adjuvant denosumab is not recommended for preventing breast cancer recurrence.