Journal
PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
Volume 17, Issue 6, Pages 539-553Publisher
SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD
DOI: 10.1191/0269216303pm800ra
Keywords
bisphosphonates; hypercalcaemia; metastatic bone disease; zoledronic acid
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Zoledronic acid is a potent, third generation, nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate, licensed for the management of skeletal metastases and hypercalcaemia of malignancy, both of which cause considerable morbidity. In the preclinical setting, zoledronic acid has demonstrated superior potency regarding inhibition of osteolysis and reduction of hypercalcaemia as compared with other bisphosphonates. Clinical trials have indicated that zoledronic acid is superior to pamidronate in suppressing osteolysis and in reducing hypercalcaemia of malignancy. Its main mechanism of action is induction of osteoclast apoptosis through inhibition of the mevalonate pathway. Zoledronic acid has also demonstrated direct anti-tumour activity both in vitro and in animal models, suggesting it may be of benefit in preventing the formation of bone metastases. Clinical trials are in progress, assessing the benefit of zoledronic acid in the adjuvant setting in both breast and prostate cancer.
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