Address of Corresponding Author

Oncology 2005;68:18-22 (DOI: 10.1159/000084518)

  Key Words

• Lung cancer
• Bone metastases
• Bisphosphonates
• Zoledronic acid

  Abstract

Newer-generation intravenous bisphosphonates have resulted in the reduction of skeletal-related complications, i.e. skeletal-related events (SREs) such as pain, hypercalcemia, pathologic fractures and spinal cord and nerve compression, as well as improvements in the quality of life in patients with metastatic bone disease who are likely to have a prolonged clinical course. Highly potent, nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates such as zoledronic acid reduce SREs in patients with bone metastases from other solid tumors (including lung cancer). Part one of our review discussed the mechanisms of action by bisphosphonates as well as potential roles for bone markers and imaging in lung cancer. In this article, part two of our review, we examine the economic and clinical impact of bisphosphonates in lung cancer, with a focus on the potential role of newer-generation bisphosphonates in the management of advanced, metastatic bone disease of lung cancer.

Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Nabil Saba, MD
550 Peachtree Street
Glenn Building
Atlanta, GA 30308 (USA)
Tel. +1 404 778 1900, Fax +1 404 686 4604, E-Mail Nabil_saba@emory.org

  Article Information

Received: June 22, 2004
Accepted after revision: November 22, 2004
Published online: March 15, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 16