Effects of zoledronic acid versus clodronic acid on skeletal morbidity in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MRC Myeloma IX): secondary outcomes from a randomised controlled trial

2011

Comparing Zoledronic Acid and Clodronic Acid for Bone Health in Multiple Myeloma

Sample size: 1960 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Morgan Gareth J, Child J Anthony, Gregory Walter M, Szubert Alex J, Cocks Kim, Bell Sue E, Navarro-Coy Nuria, Drayson Mark T, Owen Roger G, Feyler Sylvia, Ashcroft A John, Ross Fiona M, Byrne Jennifer, Roddie Huw, Rudin Claudius, Cook Gordon, Jackson Graham H, Wu Ping, Davies Faith E

Primary Institution: Institute of Cancer Research, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

Hypothesis

Does zoledronic acid reduce skeletal-related events more effectively than clodronic acid in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma?

Conclusion

Zoledronic acid significantly reduces the risk of skeletal-related events compared to clodronic acid in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

Supporting Evidence

Patients receiving zoledronic acid had a lower incidence of skeletal-related events (27%) compared to those receiving clodronic acid (35%).
The hazard ratio for skeletal-related events was 0.74, indicating a significant reduction with zoledronic acid.
Fewer vertebral fractures occurred in the zoledronic acid group (5%) compared to the clodronic acid group (9%).
Zoledronic acid was associated with a lower risk of new osteolytic lesions (5% vs 10% for clodronic acid).
Statistical analysis showed significant differences in skeletal-related events across multiple time points.

Takeaway

This study found that a medicine called zoledronic acid helps people with a type of blood cancer called multiple myeloma have fewer bone problems than another medicine called clodronic acid.

Methodology

Patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma were randomly assigned to receive either zoledronic acid or clodronic acid, and the incidence of skeletal-related events was monitored over time.