Results of a phase II clinical trial, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, says that breast cancer patients who experience worsening of bone metastases during bisphosphonate therapy can improve pain control by switching to another bisphosphonate called Zometa (zoledronic acid).
Researchers conducted the trial among 31 patients with metastatic breast cancer and wanted to see the effect of switching from one bisphosphonate to another. All study participants have been treated with one of the bisphosphonate drugs -- Aredia or Bonefos. Zometa was administered once a month for three months.
After eight weeks of Zometa, 13 of the 31 patients, 42 percent reported a reduction in pain. Researchers concluded that for breast cancer patients with worsening bone metastasis switching to Zometa can improve pain. Results of this trial need to be confirmed by a Phase III clinical trial.
