Further analysis of the survival benefit of clodronate

Bisphosphonates have a firm role in the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer as it has been shown to retard skeletal events secondary to prostate cancer. Recent studies also show possible anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic effects from the use of bisphosphonates, specifically with the aminobisphosphonates. Clodronate is an older first-generation bisphosphonate that has recently been shown to improve overall survival in metastatic prostate cancer as reported by Dearnaley and colleagues in the September issue of The Lancet Oncology. The finding of improved overall survival has significant implications since no therapy to date, except for docetaxel-based regimens, has been shown to improve overall survival in metastatic prostate cancer. However, this trial also merits further analysis since it may affect the clinical conduct of contemporary clinical trials for men with prostate cancer.