pharmacotherapy with pamidronate Disodium of Osteolytic Bone Metastases of Breast cancer, Osteolytic Lesions of Multiple Myeloma, and paget's Disease

Abstract

High bone turnover disorders are characterized by excessive osteoclastic activity resulting in loss of bone mass and quality, fractures, deformities, debilitating pain, loss of mobility and hypercalcemia. These complications have a major impact in quality of life, and control of osteoclast activity is critical to reduce or prevent these skeletal events. Over the last 2 decades bisphosphonates became an integral part of the management of these disorders. Bisphosphonates, analogues of pyrophosphate, bind to hydroxyapatite crystals and have a very high affinity for bone mineral. Their retention in bone and rapid clearance from the circulation make them safe and effective agents for inhibition of osteoclast activity. Pamidronate is one such bisphosphonate that has been effective in treating Paget’s disease, myeloma bone disease and osteolytic bone metastases from breast cancer. This review will focus on the effects of pamidronate in these disorders.