Ibandronate better tolerated than zoledronic acid
Treatment with the oral bisphosphonate ibandronate achieved similar efficacy but was better tolerated than intravenous zoledronic acid in treating metatastic bone disease, a study presented at ECCO has shown.
The study randomised 254 patients with advanced breast cancer and at
least one bone lesion to oral ibandronate (50mg daily) or zoledronic
acid (4mg via 15-minute infusion every four weeks). Results showed that
acute side effects were less common with ibandronate (8 per cent vs 47
per cent in the first three days of treatment). Longer term, ibandronate
continued to be better tolerated (65 per cent of patients experienced
side effects compared with 76 per cent of patients treated with zoledronic
acid). Fewer patients withdrew from the oral treatment (2.9 per cent
vs 5.1 per cent with intravenous therapy).
Steve Williamson, lead pharmacist for cancer services, Northumbria Healthcare
NHS Trust, said: “This report strengthens the position of oral
ibandronate in breast cancer patients. Having an effective, well tolerated
oral bisphosphonate is a great advantage: it reduces the time patients
have to spend in hospital, easing capacity pressure on chemotherapy clinics.” |
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