Clinical and Radiologic Response in Patients With Bone Metastases Managed With Combined Radiotherapy and Bisphosphonates

摘要

We read with great interest the excellent article published in your journal by Arlington et al. reporting the results of the concurrent application of zoledronic acid and irradiation in an animal model, after tumor induced osteolysis. Bone lysis was brought about via injection of breast cancer cells into the right femur and mice were separated into three treatment groups. The first group did not receive any treatment (0 Gy), the second received irradiation alone (20 Gy) and the third irradiation (20 Gy) plus concomitant administration of zoledronic acid. The animals that underwent combined treatment exhibited a higher bone density, bone volume, trabecular bone volume and improved biochemical strength as compared to the group that received only radiotherapy (P< 0.005). Combined treatment also resulted in an improved micro-architecture, evaluated by micro CT reconstructions. The restoration of normal bone qualities after combined treatment decreases the risk of bone metastases complications such as pathologic fractures .