This study raises the question for clinicians of when to consider introducing denosumab for patients with prostate cancer, Dr. Christopher J. Logothetis said in an accompanying editorial (Lancet Oncol. 2011 Nov. 16 [doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61540-7]).
The results support the use of denosumab as an alternative to zoledronic acid, but the agent’s relatively small effect on bone metastasis–free survival and its lack of effect on overall survival "do not support its broad use as a preventive agent for bone metastases in prostate cancer," he said, urging "further investigations in this important area of research." Dr. Logothetis is chair of genitourinary medical oncology at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.
Amgen funded this study, provided the denosumab, and participated in protocol design, data analysis, data interpretation, and preparation of the report. Dr. Smith and his associates reported ties to Amgen and Novartis. Dr. Logothetis reported no relevant financial disclosures.