Conference Coverage

VIDEO: Less frequent zoledronic acid is safe, retains efficacy


 

AT THE ASCO ANNUAL MEETING 2014

CHICAGO – Women with breast cancer and bone metastasis can safely scale back the frequency of their zoledronic acid infusions from every 4 weeks to every 12 weeks without a loss in efficacy*, according to results of the phase III OPTIMIZE 2 trial.

Notably, the dreaded bisphosphonate side effect of osteonecrosis of the jaw was seen in two patients in the monthly arm, but none of those in the every-3-month treatment arm.

The findings apply only to breast cancer patients who’ve completed at least 1 year of monthly zoledronic acid therapy, according to study author Dr. Gabriel N. Hortobagyi, a professor of medicine at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.

In an interview with us at the 50th anniversary of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, this past ASCO president said that the findings from this late-breaking abstract study will have implications for the costs of cancer care and possibly for patients with other cancers.

Dr. Hortobagyi reported consultant or advisory roles and research funding with Novartis, the study sponsor. Several coauthors are employees of or have leadership positions with Novartis.

The video associated with this article is no longer available on this site. Please view all of our videos on the MDedge YouTube channel.

pwendling@frontlinemedcom.com

Correction, 5/31/2014: An earlier version of this article misstated the duration of their zoledronic acid infusion treatments.

Recommended Reading

Fracture risk varied by renal function equations
MDedge ObGyn
Switching nonadherent to denosumab improved bone density
MDedge ObGyn
Follow-up bone mineral density didn’t sharpen fracture risk assessment
MDedge ObGyn
Bone mineral density identifies fracture risk in women over 65
MDedge ObGyn
No survival benefit to bisphosphonate in chemoresistant breast cancer
MDedge ObGyn
Romosozumab boosts bone density while cutting resorption
MDedge ObGyn
USPSTF: Insufficient evidence to judge vitamin supplements
MDedge ObGyn
It’s time to put to rest the calcium supplement controversy
MDedge ObGyn
Yearly monitoring does not predict fractures after bisphosphonate cessation
MDedge ObGyn
Nonmelanoma skin cancer linked to increased fracture risk in postmenopausal women
MDedge ObGyn