Management of the side-effects of intravenous bisphosphonates: targeting the serum parathyroid hormone elevation

The dual role of autophagy in periprosthetic osteolysis

Periprosthetic osteolysis (PPO) induced by wear particles is an important cause of aseptic loosening after artificial joint replacement, among which the imbalance of osteogenesis and osteoclastic processes occupies a central position. The cells involved in PPO mainly include osteoclasts (macrophages), osteoblasts, osteocytes, and fibroblasts. RANKL/RANK/OGP axis is a typical way for osteolysis. Autophagy, a mode of regulatory cell death and maintenance of cellular homeostasis, has a dual role in PPO. Although autophagy is activated in various periprosthetic cells and regulates the release of inflammatory cytokines, osteoclast activation, and osteoblast differentiation, its beneficial or detrimental role remains controversy. In particular, differences in the temporal control and intensity of autophagy may have different effects. This article focuses on the role of autophagy in PPO, and expects the regulation of autophagy to become a powerful target for clinical treatment of PPO.

Zoledronic acid: clinical utility and patient considerations in osteoporosis and low bone mass

The availability of a once-a-year zoledronic acid infusion heralds a new era in the management of osteoporosis. It virtually eliminates the problem of poor compliance with orally administered bisphosphonates and, because it bypasses the gastrointestinal tract, it is not associated with gastrointestinal side effects. Zoledronic acid is effective for the treatment and prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis, and for the treatment of osteoporosis in men, and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. When administered within three months of a hip fracture, it reduces mortality and the risk of subsequent fractures. It is remarkably free of serious adverse effects. After administration of the intravenous infusion, about 18% of bisphosphonate-naïve patients experience an acute-phase reaction, including low-grade temperature, aches, and pains. This is reduced to about 9% in those who have been treated with oral bisphosphonates, and is further reduced by the concomitant and subsequent administration of acetaminophen. The likelihood and magnitude of the acute-phase reaction is less after the second infusion. Other adverse effects are similar to those encountered with other bisphosphonates. Because it is mostly excreted by the kidneys, zoledronic acid should not be administered to patients with a creatinine clearance less than 35 mL/min. It should not be administered to patients with hypocalcemia.

Emerging drugs for the management of cancer treatment induced bone loss

AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW

We focus our attention on data on the efficacy of currently available and emerging drugs for the management of cancer treatment induced bone loss (CTIBL) found in a PubMed research from 1997 till today.

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD

One of the most common and severe safety issues of the antihormonal therapy in both sexes is the CTIBL and the related fragility fractures. In postmenopausal women with estrogenic receptor positive breast cancer, the third-generation aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are the standard therapy. Observational retrospective studies have found that AIs treated patients had a high rate of bone loss and fracture risk (RR 1.3). Also in men with prostate cancer receiving androgen deprivation therapy, the increase in bone turnover and the consequent bone loss are very rapid and sustained significantly increasing the fracture risk.

WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN

The aim of our review is to provide the current evidences for the management of bone loss and fracture risk in this subpopulation.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

The very high rate of bone loss and the high incidence of fractures indicate that cancer patients at risk of CTIBL need to be carefully monitored and stratified for fracture risk. Although there is a strong evidence of efficacy in prevention of bone loss and reduction of fracture risk for many drugs approved for postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) and male osteoporosis, for CTIBL there are actually no drugs approved for this indication.