Zoledronic acid reduces bone damage in prostate cancer patients

August 9, 2007

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Zoledronic acid given every 3 months reduces bone density loss and bone turnover in men with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, according to a new report.

"Bisphosphonates can prevent bone density loss in androgen-deprived prostate cancer and biochemical markers of bone turnover may prove useful for monitoring therapy in the future," Dr. Christopher W. Ryan from Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, told Reuters Health.

Dr. Ryan and colleagues randomized 42 men with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer to zoledronic acid or placebo (given every 3 months). The investigators assessed the treatment affects on bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine and hip and on markers of bone turnover.

Compared with the placebo group, men treated with zoledronic acid showed an annual increase in BMD of 4.2% at the femoral neck and 7.1% at the lumbar spine, the authors report in the in the July issue of BJU International.

Markers of bone turnover remained stable during the 12-month study in the placebo group, but they decreased significantly in the men treated with zoledronic acid.

The impact of zoledronic acid on bone turnover marker changes was similar in men with or without bone metastases, the investigators note.

Adverse events were comparable in the placebo and zoledronic acid groups, the report indicates.

"From a number of studies now, it is clear that zoledronic acid can increase bone density and decrease bone turnover in prostate cancer patients on androgen deprivation," Dr. Ryan concluded. However, "the optimal dose and schedule of zoledronic acid have not been determined."