UTILITY OF BISPHOSPHONATES IN TREATING BONE METASTASES

Bone is the most common site of metastases from breast and prostate ca ncer, and bone destruction is characteristic of multiple myeloma. Incr eased osteoclast activity plays a key role in cancer-induced bone dest ruction. Bisphosphonates reduce osteoclastic bone resorption through v arious mechanisms as yet not fully elucidated. Bisphosphonates have pr oven to be effective in the treatment of tumor-induced hypercalcaemia. Several clinical trials indicated that these compounds can positively influence many aspects of neoplastic bone disease, however, many ques tions regarding their long-term efficacy and optimal therapeutic sched ule await clarification from well-designed clinical trials.