BISPHOSPHONATE THERAPY IN MULTIPLE-MYELOMA

Lytic bone lesions, pathological fractures, hypercalcaemia and osteopo rosis are common features in patients with multiple myeloma, Adjunctiv e therapeutic modalities in addition to antimyeloma therapy have been sought to ameliorate these clinical consequences of bone disease, Bisp hosphonates appear to be useful in this respect, In addition to correc ting hypercalcaemia, they reduce the amount of new bone lesions and pa thological fractures in myeloma patients, Bisphosphonates also relieve bone pain, In placebo-controlled studies clodronate (1600-2400 mg/d o rally) and pamidronate (90 mg intravenously once every month) have pro duced clinically significant effects in myeloma patients, Bisphosphona tes are a useful adjunct therapy in patients with multiple myeloma.