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According to a recent article published in the British Journal of Cancer the bisphosphonate ibandronate (Bonivaâ„¢) reduces skeletal complications in patients with metastatic breast cancer that has spread to the bone.
In November 2003 the American Society of Clinical Oncology recommended the use of the bisphosphonates Zometa® or Aredia® for treatment of patients with bone metastasis from breast cancer. The role of bisphosphonates in terms of their optimal duration of use or the optimal time in the course of disease to initiate their use is still being evaluated in clinical trials. Researchers are hopeful that bisphosphonates may help to prevent some patients from developing bone metastasis if they are administered prior to bone spread; however results from clinical trials addressing this question will be the only way to answer this question.
Boniva™ is a third-generation bisphosphonate that may be administered into a vein (intravenous) or orally. Both Zometa® and Aredia® can only be administered intravenously resulting in increased patient and healthcare providers’ time and resources for administration as well as increased pain and potential for infection compared to oral administration. Currently Boniva™ is approved for the prevention and treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis.
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