Bisphosphonates as preventative - Page 2

Henny · 11-02-2008, 09:47 PM

When I last saw my onc, he gave me the article by Dr Gnant on the zoledronic acid. I did ask about the fact that the subjects were premenopausal and not her2. He said they were ovarian suppressed and similar to postmenopausal patients in that respect. He also believed the results would be the same for her2 patients.
I guess this is one of those times when definitive results may be a long way off. As long as the side effects aren't worse than the benefits I'm going to give it a try

Hopeful · 11-03-2008, 12:34 PM

I posted a thread in the articles forum on a newly reported side effect: http://her2support.org/vbulletin/sho...eferrerid=1173

Hopeful

donocco5w4 · 11-03-2008, 01:23 PM

Forteo really isnt a long acting Biphosphonate. It is a synthetic parathyroid hormone deriviative. Biphosphanates work by decreasing Osteoclast activity. The osteoclasts are the bone cells that break down the skeletal structure. As far as I can tell Forteo works in a different manner. It seems to stimulate the Osteoblasts which are the cells that build up the skeletal matrix, rather than inhibiting the Osteoclasts that break it down.

Im not sure that Forteo has the same anti cancer action that the Biphosphanates seem to be demonstrating.

Paul (Pharmacist)

Jackie07 · 11-03-2008, 02:09 PM

I am sure going to ask my oncologist my next appointment in early December. Since part of my cancer express estrogen, I am going to ask him about both bisphosphonates and whether it is time for me to switch from Tamoxifen to ? since I have been on it for 5 years.

Vic · 11-13-2008, 09:46 AM

Glad to read more on this. Vicki Z

Any of you taking Zometa a few years AFTER treatment?
Hi,

My oncologist suggested, on my most recent visit, that I start Zometa infusions once every six months for three years due to an article she gave me on Dr. Michael Gnant's work "showing Zoledronic acid reduces events in all of the subcategories, not only bone metastasis."

It has been four years since my treatment ended and I'm wondering if any of you on this site started these infusions post-treatment with this gap in their timeframe? I also was told that I must expect my insurance provider NOT TO PAY for this since I don't have osteoporosis and it will be about $2,000 per infusion at the hospital (30 min. of hydration/30 min. of Zometa) compared with $1,300 from an off-site location.

Thanks for sharing your history and experience with this. I want to do everything I can to prevent a recurrence and I wish my oncologist had told me about this study earlier, as I hear Zometa infusions are now being given to women right after they finish treatment.

Vicki Z

tricia keegan · 11-13-2008, 03:52 PM

Vicki I'd have liked to been given this after treatment but am part of a the Azure trial to find out if it's actually worth giving zometa as standard straight after chemo or in conjunction as adjuvant therapy. I'm in year three of a five year trial and sadly drew the short straw and am int he control group so get nothing

There are no definate answer's yet but I believe the early findings are very promising. Maybe it'll be like herceptin when that first came out and they'll call people back for it when they know for sure. It's possible this is given as standard already in the States but unfortunatly not in Ireland as yet for early stage bc.

Vic · 11-13-2008, 05:40 PM

Hi Tricia,

So nice to hear from you...Ireland is tops on my list as a place to visit since I've never been there (along with Scotland and Italy on my travel list, too. Now, Paris I've been to twice and could do that over and over again.).

It's great that you're in a study and a bit unfortunate that you didn't get the drug (Zometa), but at least you're being watched closely for five years, and, who knows, if they see some excellent results, maybe they'll curtail the study and start giving it to everybody, similar to the Herceptin study you mentioned. Good things come out of these trials. I, too, wished I'd been given it a bit sooner after treatment, but all this new information keeps coming along, and it's up to us to stay on top of it all. That why this board is so helpful to me when I have a question, and great people, like you, make comments.

Did you go into the Azure trial during your treatment and were you informed of it through your oncologist, or did you seek this out on your own? I notice your signature line mentions that you take Fosamax. Is this different from Zometa, and, if so, how? I thought they were similar, but perhaps they don't have the same makeup and, thus, aren't being studied like the Zometa.

tricia keegan · 11-13-2008, 06:20 PM

Vic, as soon as I saw my onc for the first time he asked if i'd join this trial. I nned to update my signature as although I did take fosamax for a few months I had to stop it due to nausea.
I had GI problems from some of the chemo drugs but thats under control with daily nexium. There must be a difference but sorry I don't know enough about this to give you a proper answer! I hope you get to visit here someday and look me up!

Vic · 11-18-2008, 11:03 AM

Thanks for the details, Tricia. I'll keep you posted on the Zometa, too. My twin sister is traveling with a class to Dublin and surrounding parts in April for a week. They're also going to spend a few days in Paris, too. When it's my turn to visit the Emerald Isle, I'll make sure to look you up!