Future Research Into Bisphosphonates in Breast Cancer

Clinical Pearls

Julie R. Gralow, MD, director, Breast Medical Oncology, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, clinical research division, member, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Care Center, professor, Medical Oncology Division, University of Washington School of Medicine, discusses future research into bisphosphonates in breast cancer.

• Thephase III SWOG S0307 trialcompared the toxicities and patient-stated preferences for oral versus IV delivery of 3 bisphosphonates: clodronate, ibandronate, and zoledronic acid.
• 76% of patients preferred receiving bisphosphonates orally as opposed to IV.
• There are no good data on oral bisphosphonates with respect to breast cancer recurrence.
• There remains a need to understand what tumor factors might predict for who benefits from bisphosphonates.
• Studies are ongoing looking at potential impact of denosumab on recurrence.