Bisphosphonate therapy for bone metastases from breast cancer: clinical results and a new therapeutic approach
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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
Models of Bone Metastasis
Published on: September 4, 2012
S Oura1, H Tanino, T Yoshimasu
1First Department of Surgery, Wakayama Medical College, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama City, Wakayama 641-0012, Japan.
Background:
We evaluated the usefulness of bisphosphonate (BIS) monotherapy, the safety of rapid infusion of BIS and the efficacy of BIS-sequential therapy for bone metastases from breast cancer.
Patients And Methods:
Twenty-nine patients with bone metastasis or invasion were treated with BIS monotherapy. Each BIS (pamidronate 30 mg, alendronate 10 mg, or incadronate 10 mg) was infused over 30 minutes every two weeks a median of 12 times.
Results:
With BIS therapy, five patients (17%) showed partial response of the bone lesions, and eighteen patients (64%) had pain relief. Of the nine patients treated with BIS-sequential therapy, one (11%) showed a partial response of the bone metastases, three (33%) had pain relief, and one (11%) showed a decrease in the serum tumor marker level.
Conclusion:
BIS therapy is effective against bone metastases from breast cancer, and rapid infusion of BIS is both safe and convenient for patients. BIS-sequential therapy can be a unique therapeutic option in some cases.
