The FDA approved Xgeva (denosumab) on Thursday for prevention of bone loss in patients with solid tumors, including those of the breast or prostate, that had spread to the bone. The FDA based its decision on several phase 3 clinical trials that showed the drug reduced skeletal-related events, including bone fractures from cancer and bone pain requiring radiation.It was approved for osteoporosis this past June under the brand name Prolia, but this is the first cancer-related indication of the drug. It is also being studied in multiple myeloma, however the current approval does not extend to the blood cancer.For more on the approval, you can read the FDA's statement here.You can also read about Xgeva and view an illustration of how it works in our archived article, "Good to the Bone."This post has been revised on Nov. 19 to reflect the following correction: It was stated that Xgeva was approved for prevention of bone loss in patients with breast or prostate cancer that had spread to the bone. It is approved for prevention of bone loss in patients with solid tumors that have spread to the bone.
