In recent years, bisphosphonates have changed the way in which breast cancer is managed. Now used to treat hypercalcemia, fractures and bone metastases, the drugs have become crucial treatment adjuncts for women with breast cancer, 60 to 80% of whom will develop bone metastases. The condition results in pain, weakened bone structure and poor quality of life. About 35,000 of the 46,000 US women who die of breast cancer each year develop cancer in their bones, two thirds of whom will experience severe pain. Combing a bisphosphonate with an estrogen-reducing drug to pare metastases while improving survival rates is an idea ripe for clinical trials, now say researchers. The idea, however, didn?t materialize until two seemingly disparate findings were announced at the same breast cancer symposium in December 2001.
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