Clodronate for osteolytic metastases due to breast cancer

Abstract

Breast-cancer patients with multiple osteolytic bone metastases were treated with clodronate (Cl2MDP) 1.6 g/day (17 patients) or placebo (17 patients) for 12 months. Bone pain, extension of bone metastases and formation of new osteolytic foci were reduced by Cl2MDP, and development of severe hypercalcaemia was prevented. After withdrawal of treatment, the patients were followed up for at least 12 months. New bone metastases developed in both groups. There were, however, less fractures and less hypercalcaemia in the Cl2MDP than in the placebo group. The survival rate was higher in the Cl2MDP group than in the placebo group. No side-effects were observed in the Cl2MDP group.