VIDEO: Less frequent zoledronic acid is safe, retains efficacy

CHICAGO – Women with breast cancer and bone metastasis can safely scale back the frequency of their zoledronic acid infusions from every 4 weeks to every 12 weeks without a loss in efficacy*, according to results of the phase III OPTIMIZE 2 trial.

Notably, the dreaded bisphosphonate side effect of osteonecrosis of the jaw was seen in two patients in the monthly arm, but none of those in the every-3-month treatment arm.

The findings apply only to breast cancer patients who’ve completed at least 1 year of monthly zoledronic acid therapy, according to study author Dr. Gabriel N. Hortobagyi, a professor of medicine at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.

In an interview with us at the 50th anniversary of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, this past ASCO president said that the findings from this late-breaking abstract study will have implications for the costs of cancer care and possibly for patients with other cancers.

Dr. Hortobagyi reported consultant or advisory roles and research funding with Novartis, the study sponsor. Several coauthors are employees of or have leadership positions with Novartis.

[email protected]

Correction, 5/31/2014: An earlier version of this article misstated the duration of their zoledronic acid infusion treatments.

CHICAGO – Women with breast cancer and bone metastasis can safely scale back the frequency of their zoledronic acid infusions from every 4 weeks to every 12 weeks without a loss in efficacy*, according to results of the phase III OPTIMIZE 2 trial.

Notably, the dreaded bisphosphonate side effect of osteonecrosis of the jaw was seen in two patients in the monthly arm, but none of those in the every-3-month treatment arm.

The findings apply only to breast cancer patients who’ve completed at least 1 year of monthly zoledronic acid therapy, according to study author Dr. Gabriel N. Hortobagyi, a professor of medicine at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.

In an interview with us at the 50th anniversary of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, this past ASCO president said that the findings from this late-breaking abstract study will have implications for the costs of cancer care and possibly for patients with other cancers.

Dr. Hortobagyi reported consultant or advisory roles and research funding with Novartis, the study sponsor. Several coauthors are employees of or have leadership positions with Novartis.

[email protected]

Correction, 5/31/2014: An earlier version of this article misstated the duration of their zoledronic acid infusion treatments.

CHICAGO – Women with breast cancer and bone metastasis can safely scale back the frequency of their zoledronic acid infusions from every 4 weeks to every 12 weeks without a loss in efficacy*, according to results of the phase III OPTIMIZE 2 trial.

Notably, the dreaded bisphosphonate side effect of osteonecrosis of the jaw was seen in two patients in the monthly arm, but none of those in the every-3-month treatment arm.

The findings apply only to breast cancer patients who’ve completed at least 1 year of monthly zoledronic acid therapy, according to study author Dr. Gabriel N. Hortobagyi, a professor of medicine at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.

In an interview with us at the 50th anniversary of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, this past ASCO president said that the findings from this late-breaking abstract study will have implications for the costs of cancer care and possibly for patients with other cancers.

Dr. Hortobagyi reported consultant or advisory roles and research funding with Novartis, the study sponsor. Several coauthors are employees of or have leadership positions with Novartis.

[email protected]

Correction, 5/31/2014: An earlier version of this article misstated the duration of their zoledronic acid infusion treatments.