Safety and efficacy of zoledronic acid rapid infusion in lung cancer patients with bone metastases: a single institution experience

Anticancer Res. 2008 Jan-Feb;28(1B):529-33.

Abstract

Zoledronic acid (Zometa, Novartis, Basel, Switzerland) is a new generation of bisphosphonates (BPs) with demonstrated clinical benefit in breast and prostate cancer patients with bone metastases. The safety and efficacy of intravenous zoledronic acid in lung cancer patients was assessed. In 86 patients with newly diagnosed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and bone metastases, 4 mg of zoledronic acid was administered with rapid 15-minute intravenous infusion every 3-4 weeks. A total of 414 infusions were administered over a 24-month period during which a statistically significant decrease in serum calcium levels (p = 0.03) was observed. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) also decreased but not significantly. With regard to clinical efficacy, 55 of our patients stabilized or reduced their need for analgesic treatment. No significant side-effects, including fever, hemodynamic instability and renal dysfunction, were seen. We conclude that the rapid infusion of zoledronic acid is safe and convenient for lung cancer patients even after the 3rd and 6th months follow-up.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / adverse effects
  • Bone Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / secondary
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / secondary
  • Diphosphonates / administration & dosage*
  • Diphosphonates / adverse effects
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles / administration & dosage*
  • Imidazoles / adverse effects
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Zoledronic Acid

Substances

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Diphosphonates
  • Imidazoles
  • Zoledronic Acid