Reduction in bone relapse and improved survival with oral clodronate for adjuvant treatment of operable breast cancer

2006

Oral Clodronate Improves Survival and Reduces Bone Relapse in Breast Cancer

Sample size: 1069 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Trevor Powles, Alexander Paterson, Eugene McCloskey, Phil Schein, Bobbi Scheffler, Alwynne Tidy, Sue Ashley, Ian Smith, Lars Ottestad, John Kanis

Primary Institution: Parkside Oncology, London, UK

Hypothesis

Does the addition of oral clodronate to standard treatment for primary operable breast cancer reduce the occurrence of bone metastases and improve overall survival?

Conclusion

Oral clodronate significantly improves 5-year bone relapse-free survival when used as an adjuvant treatment for operable breast cancer.

Supporting Evidence

Oral clodronate reduced the risk of bone metastases by 31% over 5 years.
During the 2-year treatment period, patients receiving clodronate had a 45% reduction in the risk of bone metastases.
Patients with stage II/III disease experienced a 41% decrease in the risk of developing bone metastases over 5 years.

Takeaway

Giving patients a medicine called clodronate can help stop breast cancer from spreading to their bones and helps them live longer.

Methodology

1,069 patients were randomized to receive oral clodronate or placebo for 2 years alongside standard breast cancer treatment, with assessments for bone metastases at 2 and 5 years.