Histomorphometric and microarchitectural analysis of bone in metastatic breast cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Despite widespread use of repeated doses of potent bone-targeting agents (BTA) in oncology patients, relatively little is known about their in vivo effects on bone homeostasis, bone quality, and bone architecture. Traditionally bone quality has been assessed using a trans-iliac bone biopsy with a 7 mm "Bordier" core needle. We examined the feasibility of using a 2 mm "Jamshidi™" core needle as a more practical and less invasive technique.

METHODS

Patients with metastatic breast cancer on BTAs were divided according to the extent of bone metastases. They were given 2 courses of tetracycline labeling and then underwent a posterior trans-iliac trephine biopsy and bone marrow aspirate. Samples were analyzed for the extent of tumor invasion and parameters of bone turnover and bone formation by histomorphometry.

RESULTS

Twelve patients were accrued, 1 had no bone metastases, 3 had limited bone metastases (LSM) (<3 lesions) and 7 had extensive bone metastases (ESM) (>3 lesions). Most of the primary tumors were estrogen receptor (ER)/progesterone receptor (PR) positive. The procedure was well tolerated. The sample quality was sufficient to analyze bone trabecular structure and bone turnover by histomorphometry in 11 out of 12 patients. There was a good correlation between imaging data and morphometric analysis of tumor invasion. Patients with no evidence or minimal bone metastases had no evidence of tumor invasion. Most had suppressed bone turnover and no detectable bone formation when treated with BTA. In contrast, 6 out of 7 patients with extensive bone invasion by imaging and evidence of tumor cells in the marrow had intense osteoclastic activity as measured by the number of osteoclasts. Of these 7 patients with ESM, 6 were treated with BTA with 5 showing resistance to BTA as demonstrated by the high number of osteoclasts present. 3 of these 6 patients had active bone formation. Based on osteoblast activity and bone formation, 3 out of 6 patients with ESM responded to BTA compared to all 3 with LSM. Compared to untreated patients, all patients treated with BTA showed a trend towards suppression of bone formation, as measured by tetracycline labelling. There was also a trend towards a significant difference between ESM and LSM treated with BTA, highly suggestive of resistance although limited by the small sample size.

DISCUSSION

Our results indicate that trans-iliac bone biopsy using a 2 mm trephine shows excellent correlation between imaging assessment of tumor invasion and tumor burden by morphometric analysis of bone tissues. In addition, our approach provides additional mechanistic information on therapeutic response to BTA supporting the current clinical understanding that the majority of patients with extensive bone involvement eventually fail to suppress bone turnover (Petrut B, et al. 2008). This suggests that antiresorptive therapies become less effective as disease progresses.

Estrogen, progesterone, and HER2/neu receptor discordance between primary and metastatic breast tumours-a review

Discordance in estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), and HER2/neu status between primary breast tumours and metastatic disease is well recognized. In this review, we highlight how receptor discordance between primary tumours and paired metastasis can help elucidate the mechanism of metastasis but can also effect patient management and the design of future trials. Discordance rates and ranges were available from 47 studies (3384 matched primary and metastatic pairs) reporting ER, PR, and HER2/neu expression for both primary and metastatic sites. Median discordance rates for ER, PR, and HER2/neu were 14 % (range 0-67 %, IQR 9-25 %), 21 % (range 0-62 %, IQR 15-41 %), and 10 % (range 0-44 %, IQR 4-17 %), respectively. Loss of receptor expression was more common (9.17 %) than gain (4.51 %). Discordance rates varied amongst site of metastasis with ER discordance being highest in bone metastases suggesting that discordance is a true biological phenomenon. Discordance rates vary for both the biomarker and the metastatic site. Loss of expression is more common than gain. This can affect patient management as it can lead to a reduction in both the efficacy and availability of potential therapeutic agents. Future studies are recommended to explore both the mechanisms of discordance as well as its impact on patient outcome and management.

Can the referring surgeon enhance accrual of breast cancer patients to medical and radiation oncology trials? The ENHANCE study

INTRODUCTION

The accrual rate to clinical trials in oncology remains low. In this exploratory pilot study, we prospectively assessed the role that engaging a referring surgeon plays in enhancing nonsurgical oncologic clinical trial accrual.

METHODS

Newly diagnosed breast cancer patients were seen by a surgeon who actively introduced specific patient-and physician-centred strategies to increase clinical trial accrual. Patient-centred strategies included providing patients, before their oncology appointment, with information about specific clinical trials for which they might be eligible, as evaluated by the surgeon. The attitudes of the patients about clinical trials and the interventions used to improve accrual were assessed at the end of the study. The primary outcome was the clinical trial accrual rate during the study period.

RESULTS

Overall clinical trial enrolment during the study period among the 34 participating patients was 15% (5 of 34), which is greater than the institution's historical average of 7%. All patients found the information delivered by the surgeon before the oncology appointment to be very helpful. Almost three quarters of the patients (73%) were informed about clinical trials by their oncologist. The top reasons for nonparticipation reported by the patients who did not participate in clinical trials included lack of interest (35%), failure of the oncologist to mention clinical trials (33%), and inconvenience (19%).

CONCLUSIONS

Accrual of patients to clinical trials is a complex multistep process with multiple potential barriers. The findings of this exploratory pilot study demonstrate a potential role for the referring surgeon in enhancing nonsurgical clinical trial accrual.

A randomized, double-blind, phase II, exploratory trial evaluating the palliative benefit of either continuing pamidronate or switching to zoledronic acid in patients with high-risk bone metastases from breast cancer

Previous studies suggest switching from pamidronate to a more potent bone-targeted agent is associated with biomarker and palliative response in breast cancer patients with bone metastases. Until now, this has not been addressed in a double-blind, randomized trial. Breast cancer patients with high-risk bone metastases, despite >3 months of pamidronate, were randomized to either continue pamidronate or switch to zoledronic acid every 4 weeks for 12 weeks. Primary outcome was the proportion of patients achieving a fall in serum C-telopeptide (sCTx) at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included difference in mean sCTx, pain scores, quality of life, toxicity, and skeletal-related events (SREs). Seventy-three patients entered the study; median age 61 years (range 37-87). Proportion of patients achieving a fall in sCTx over the 12-week evaluation period was 26/32 (81 %) with zoledronic acid and 18/29 (62 %) with pamidronate (p = 0.095). Mean decrease in sCTx (mean difference between groups = 50 ng/L, 95 % CI 18-84; p = 0.003) was significantly greater in patients who received zoledronic acid. Quality of life, pain scores, toxicity, and frequency of new SREs were comparable between the two arms. While a switch from pamidronate to zoledronic acid resulted in reduction in mean sCTx, there were no significant differences between the arms for proportion of patients achieving a reduction in sCTx, quality of life, pain scores, toxicity or SREs. Given the lack of palliative improvement, the current data do not support a switching strategy.

Abstract P6-07-01: Are patient perceptions and expectations about peri-operative imaging for metastatic breast cancer in keeping with current guidelines?

Background: The probability of detecting radiologically evident distant metastatic disease in asymptomatic women with primary operable breast cancer is low. Because of this, evidence-based guidelines have been developed to guide physicians on whom to image. Despite these guidelines, peri-operative staging imaging is frequently over-utilized. Relatively little is known about what patients’ perceptions and expectations are regarding peri-operative imaging and whether or not their views are in concordance with the guidelines. We undertook this study in an attempt to answer this question.

Methods: A questionnaire on peri-operative imaging to look for distant metastatic disease was given to women with early stage breast cancer who had completed their surgery. The survey questions were developed in a collaborative effort amongst oncologists, epidemiologists and knowledge translation experts.

Results: Over a 3 month period, 234 surveys were completed at a large Canadian academic cancer centre. The use of peri-operative imaging to assess the skeleton (e.g. bone scan), thorax (e.g. CT, xray), and abdomen (e.g. CT, MRI or ultrasound) is summarized in Table 1 for the 187 patients (80%) who identified their disease stage.

Patient reported perioperative imaging by disease stage Stage 1Stage 2Stage 3No. of patients (%)82/187 (44%)67/187 (36%)38/187 (20%)Median age (range)59 (29-80)57 (27-77)56 (49-65)Peri-operative imaging done for   Skeleton in (%)41/82 (50%)47/67 (70%)33/38 (87%)Thorax in (%)48/82 (59%)53/67 (79%)30/38 (79%)Abdomen in (%)34/82 (41%)42/67 (63%)27/38 (71%)

The relative proportion of patients undergoing imaging increased with advancing stage. Of the 187 patients, 66% indicated they would want imaging if the chance of finding metastatic disease was ≤10% and half of these patients (i.e. 33%) indicated they would want imaging if the chance was &lt;1%. The most common factors identified as being either extremely (EI) or very important (VI) by patients were: catching the spread of cancer to other parts of the body early (93%), reducing the chance of dying (90%), and providing peace of mind (77%). Avoiding inconvenience, exposure to scans, and extra imaging that will not change length or quality of life, and false alarms were EI or VI in ∼50%. Perceptions of these factors did not differ across disease stage. Although 85% indicated doing whatever their doctor recommended was either EI or VI to them, 72% indicated that they would feel very or somewhat uncomfortable if their physician did not order imaging to look for metastatic disease, even if this was in keeping with the guideline recommendation.

Conclusion: Irrespective of evidence-based guidelines, many patients undergo peri-operative imaging. While guidelines tend to address physician behaviour it is evident that patient perceptions and expectations are divergent from the evidence-based guidelines. If patient expectations are, in part, driving excessive imaging, new strategies targeting patient expectations and knowledge are required.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P6-07-01.

Abstract P3-09-02: Optimal anti-emetic choice for breast cancer patients receiving anthracycline and cyclophosphamide-based chemotherapy - A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: International expert consensus groups such as ASCO (JCO 2011) and MASCC (Ann of Oncol. 2010) recommend that patients (pts) receiving anthracycline and cyclophosphamide-based chemotherapy (A&C-CT) regimens receive an anti-emetic combination of 5HT3 antagonist (day 1), NK1 receptor antagonist (day/s 1 or 1-3), and dexamethasone (days 1-3/4). Clinical experience would suggest that Total Control (no episodes of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting [CINV] and no rescue anti-emetic use for 5 days after CT) is often not achieved. We therefore sought to use Network meta-analysis (NMA) to provide a quantitative summary of existing randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to identify the optimal anti-emetic regimen for these pts.

Methods: A peer reviewed search of RCTs assessing combination anti-emetic regimens in breast cancer pts on A&C-CT was performed using Medline, Embase and Cochrane CENTRAL. No additional restriction criteria were employed. Two individuals independently screened citations and full text articles to identify eligible RCTs. Pt and study characteristics, as well as, outcome data were collected to ensure studies were sufficiently similar to include in the NMA. The primary outcome was Total Control of CINV (no nausea, no vomiting, and no rescue anti-emetics for 5 days). Secondary outcomes included Complete Response (no vomiting and no rescue medications for 5 days), No Vomiting and No Nausea in the acute (0-24 hrs) and delayed (24-120 hrs) periods, respectively.

Results: From 962 citations identified, 152 were retained after abstract screening, and 20 retained after full-text screening. Trials were published from 1990 to 2012. There was limited reporting of pt characteristics and CINV outcomes beyond the first CT cycle. The majority of comparisons in the network of treatments were supported by only one RCT. The significant heterogeneity in anti-emetic regimens (n = 21) mandated combining treatment doses and durations to make NMA feasible. Six out of 20 studies reported Total Control, occurring in a mean proportion of 26.9% (23 - 65%) of pts. Complete Response was reported in 11/18 trials, occurring in a mean of 49.8% (31.2% - 79.3%) of pts.

Conclusions: Clinical experience suggests that despite best practice recommendations, many pts do not achieve Total Control of CINV. In preparing for a NMA, we identified marked heterogeneity between trials. This included variability in study design, sample size, treatment agents, duration of agents used, and in reporting of pt characteristics and outcome measures. Given these limitations, despite the recommendations of consensus groups, we have yet been able to make any firm decision on the optimal anti-emetic regimen based on the evidence at this time. We will present findings from our NMA, which will try to account for these limitations. However, if anti-emetic care is to be improved future pragmatic RCTs that include both nausea and vomiting outcomes are clearly required.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P3-09-02.

Incidence, consequences and treatment of bone metastases in breast cancer patients-Experience from a single cancer centre

Background

There is a paucity of literature about the benefits of bone-targeted agents for breast cancer patients with bone metastases treated in the non-trial setting. We explored the incidence, consequences, and treatment of bone metastases at a single cancer centre.

Methods

Electronic records of metastatic breast cancer patients were reviewed and pertinent information was extracted.

Results

Of 264 metastatic breast cancer patients, 195 (73%) developed bone metastases. Of these patients, 176 were eligible for analysis. Median age at bone metastases diagnosis was 56.9 years (IQR 48–67) and initial presentation of bone metastases included asymptomatic radiological findings (58%), bone pain (40%), or a SRE (12.5%). Most patients (88%) received a bone-targeted agent, starting a median of 1.5 months (IQR 0.8–3.30) after bone metastasis diagnosis. 62% of patients had ≥1 SRE. The median time from bone metastasis diagnosis to first SRE was 1.8 months (IQR 0.20–8.43 months). Median number of SREs per patient was 1.5 (IQR 0–3). Overall, 26.8% of all SREs were clinically asymptomatic. Within the entire cohort, 51% required opioids and 20% were hospitalized due to either an SRE or bone pain.

Conclusions

Despite extensive use of bone-targeted agents, the incidence of SREs remains high. Nearly half of SREs occur prior to starting a bone-targeted agent. Use of opioids and hospitalizations secondary to bone metastases remain common. More effective treatment options are clearly needed.

Time to put an end to the "one size fits all" approach to bisphosphonate use in patients with metastatic breast cancer?

Bisphosphonates emerged as an effective treatment for metastatic bone disease in the mid-1990s, and in a relatively short time, they have become an integral component in the palliative care of a range of common malignancies that spread to bone[...].

Abstract P2-05-13: Correlation of conventional versus experimental biomarkers of bone turnover and metastasis behaviour with skeletal related events – A biomarker analysis in conjunction with the TRIUMPH study

BACKGROUND: Despite considerable variability in patient (pt) risk of skeletal related events (SREs) from bone metastases (BM), all pts are treated using a one size fits all approach, namely the same dose and dosing schedule (q3-4 wk) of IV bisphosphonate (BP). Identification of novel markers of individual SRE risk are thus required to better tailor treatment. TRIUMPH is an ongoing clinical trial evaluating q12 wk IV BP therapy for 1 year, following &gt;3 months of standard q3-4 wk BP, in women with low risk bone metastases [defined by the bone resorption marker C-telopeptide (CTx) levels &lt;600 ng/L]. This sub-study evaluated the utility of novel biomarkers in better predicting SRE risk in this low-risk cohort.

METHODS: Seventy-one pts enrolled in TRIUMPH. Pt serum at baseline (69), 6 (67) and 12 (59) wks post-entry were analyzed for CTx and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) as per study protocol. Urine N-telopeptide (NTx) levels and serum levels of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), activinA, procollagen type I amino-terminal propeptide (P1NP), and bone sialoprotein (BSP) levels were also assessed by ELISA (for n=63, 63 and 57 patients at baseline, wk 6 and wk 12 respectively). Biomarker levels were correlated with pt parameters including; time to development of BM, previous SREs, and SREs post-study entry using linear regression analysis. Changes in levels of biomarkers from baseline to 6 or 12 weeks were used to calculate odds ratios of coming off study as per protocol (due to either CTx&gt;600 ng/ml or SRE) or of SRE alone using logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS: Although baseline CTx and NTx were elevated in pts who went on to develop SREs, this did not reach statistical significance. Baseline activinA trended towards total number of prior SREs (p = 0.07). Baseline TGF-β correlated with duration of BM (p = 0.004). Change in activinA (baseline to week 6) was the only biomarker that trended to predict coming off study early (p = 0.043). Results of other baseline biomarkers and changes in biomarkers from baseline to wk 12 will also be presented.

CONCLUSIONS: This study further questions the role of CTx and NTx for driving treatment decisions around de-intensification of BP therapy (Coleman et al. J Clin Oncol 2012, suppl; abstr 511), and highlights the need for novel markers of SRE risk. Baseline levels of activinA was associated with the incidence of SREs in patients with BM and changes in levels from baseline to 6 weeks correlated with coming off study early. These findings warrant future studies in breast cancer pts assessing activinA as a predictor of SRE risk associated with breast cancer bone metastases.

This study was supported by grants from the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research with funding from the Government of Ontario, and from the Ontario Chapter of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-05-13.

Abstract P5-13-01: Does empowering patients improve accrual to breast cancer trials?

BACKGROUND Many international oncology professional and patient advocacy groups recommend that a minimum of 5% of eligible new patients should be entered into a clinical trial. Unfortunately, physician and patient related barriers translates to a much lower accrual rate in reality. We performed a prospective single arm pilot study evaluating the efficacy of implementing various physician and patient related strategies in enhancing clinical trial accrual.

METHODS All patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer seen at the breast surgery clinic were eligible for the study. Patients were offered information packages by their surgeons on non-surgical clinical trials that they might be eligible for, prior to their initial oncologist visit. Oncologists were informed of the information given to the prospective patient consultation via email and chart flagging. Patient were then given a questionnaire assessing the feedback on this method of introducing clinical trials. The primary outcome was the number of patients consenting to clinical trials. Secondary outcomes included the number of patients actually enrolling in clinical trials, screen failure rate, and overall patient satisfaction with this method of potentially enhancing accrual to clinical trials.

RESULTS 36 patients consented to this pilot study. 51% of oncologists mentioned the clinical trials to the patients. For those patients with which clinical trials were discussed, 72% went on to consent for a trial of which 31% were ultimately found to be ineligible (screen failure rate). The overall 14% clinical trial enrolment was significantly higher than our historical average of 7%. 100% of the patients found that the information package very helpful and was noted to reduce anxiety (39%) and empower (31%) the patients. 19% of the patients felt that this information should have been offered by the oncologist during the initial consultation as opposed to the surgeon prior to the oncology visit.

CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study could have a major impact on the way that cancer centres across the world approach patients for clinical trial options. Physicians remain an important barrier to trial accrual. The results of this study demonstrate that combined patient and physician centered approach to clinical trial enrolment may be the most effective.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-13-01.

Abstract P3-13-05: Evaluating efficacy of de-escalated bisphosphonate therapy in metastatic breast cancer patients at low-risk of skeletal related events. TRIUMPH: A pragmatic multicentre trial

Background: Optimal bisphosphonate (BP) dosing intervals for breast cancer patients (pts) with bone metastases (BM) remain unknown. BP are usually prescribed q3-4 wk regardless of individual pt risk for skeletal related events (SREs). Recent evidence (Amadori J Clin Oncol, 2012 suppl; abstr 9005) shows that q12 wk BP is as effective as q4 wk in pts previously treated with &gt;9 cycles of q4 wk therapy. Hence, further evaluation of modified BP dosing strategies is warranted. The objective of the current study was to show in women with biochemically defined low-risk bone disease that IV BP use every q12 wk for 1 year is sufficient to maintain stability of the bone turnover [measured by serum c-telopeptide (CTx) or bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP)].

Methods: Eligible pts with BM, who had received &gt;3 months of q3-4 wk IV BP and no systemic treatment change within 4 wks of study entry were enrolled. Low risk was defined as serum CTx &lt;600 ng/L. Biochemical failure was defined as CTx levels &gt;600 ng/L at baseline, weeks 6, 12, 24, 36 or 48. Evaluation of palliative benefit of 12-wk IV BP therapy was measured by SREs, analgesic use, and self-reported pain (BPI and FACT-BP).

Results: Between Oct. 2010-Sept. 2011, 85 pts consented to screening, with 13 found ineligible. In the 71 accrued pts baseline characteristics were: mean age 60 (SD 13), median time from breast cancer diagnosis to development of bone metastases 4 months (IQR 82), median duration of prior BP therapy 14 months (IQR 19), and mean number of SREs/yr prior to entering study 0.35 (SD 0.76). Baseline median CTx was 120 ng/L (IQR 240) and BSAP 9.2 IU/L (IQR 3). To date: 26/71 pts (36%) remain on study. Reasons for coming off study include; study completion (18), elevation of CTx &gt;600ng/L (10), or on study SRE (3). An elevation of CTx between baseline and wk 6 was significantly associated with coming off study early (p = 0.008). For pts who had had an SRE before study entry the odds ratios for coming off study early due to an on study SRE or elevated CTx was 1.005 (CI 1.002–1.009; p = 0.007) and for coming off early for an SRE was 0.0245 (CI 0.061–0.094; p = 0.046) respectively. Of the 8/13 pts who were ineligible due to baseline CTx &gt;600ng/L, 6 had an SRE within 1 year of screening.

Conclusion: De-escalating BP therapy to 12 weekly in low risk pts has advantages for both the pt and the health care system. Individual risk of SREs is highly variable, however baseline serum CTx levels &lt;600 ng/L is associated with a low risk of subsequent SREs. While larger trials are required to assess whether increasing CTx with de-escalated therapy will lead to higher rates of SREs or not (Coleman et al. J Clin Oncol 2012 suppl; abstr 511). However, the results of this study and Amadori et al. would suggest that de-escalated BP treatment will likely become a new standard of care after a limited period of q 4wk treatment.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-13-05.

Histomorphometric and microarchitectural analyses using the 2 mm bone marrow trephine in metastatic breast cancer patients-preliminary results

Background

Bone-targeted agents are widely used for the treatment of osteoporosis, the prevention of cancer-therapy induced bone loss, and for reducing the risk of skeletal related events in patients with metastatic disease. Despite widespread use, relatively little is known about the in vivo effect of these agents on bone homeostasis, bone quality, and bone architecture in humans. Traditionally bone quality has been assessed using a transiliac bone biopsy with a 7 mm “Bordier” core needle. We examined the possibility of using a 2 mm “Jamshidi” core needle as a more practical and less invasive method to assess bone turnover and potentially other tumor effects.

Methods

A pilot study on the feasibility of assessing bone quality and microarchitecture and tumor invasion using a 2 mm bone marrow trephine was conducted. Patients underwent a posterior trans-iliac trephine biopsy and bone marrow aspirate. Samples were analyzed for bone microarchitecture, bone density, and histomorphometry. The study plan was to accrue three patients with advanced breast cancer to assess the feasibility of the study before enrolling more patients.

Results

The procedure was well tolerated. The sample quality was excellent to analyze bone trabecular microarchitecture using both microCT and histomorphometry. Intense osteoclastic activity was observed in a patient with extensive tumor burden in bone despite intravenous bisphosphonate therapy.

Discussion

Given the success of this study for assessing bone microarchitecture, bone density, and histomorphometry assessment using a 2 mm needle the study will be expanded beyond these initial three patients for longitudinal assessment of bone-targeted therapy.

A national portfolio of bone oncology trials-The Canadian experience in 2012

BACKGROUND

The impact of both cancer and its treatment on bone is an essential component of oncological practice. Bone oncology not only affects patients with both early stage and metastatic disease but also covers the entire spectrum of tumour types. We therefore decided to review and summarise bone oncology-related trials that are currently being conducted in Canada.

METHOD

We assessed ongoing and recently completed trials in Canada. We used available North American and Canadian cancer trial websites and also contacted known investigators in this field for their input.

RESULTS

Twenty seven clinical trials were identified. Seven pertained to local treatment of bone metastasis from any solid tumour type. Seven were systemic treatment trials, five focused on bone biology and predictive factors, three evaluated safety of bone-targeted agents, three were adjuvant trials and two trials investigated impact of cancer therapy on bone health. The majority of trials were related to systemic treatment and bone biology in breast cancer. Most were small, single centre, grant-funded studies. Not surprisingly the larger safety and adjuvant studies were pharmaceutical company driven.

DISCUSSION

Despite the widespread interest in bone-targeted therapies our survey would suggest that most studies are single centre and breast cancer focused. If major advances in bone oncology are to be made then collaborative strategies are needed to not only increase current sample sizes but to also expand these studies into non-breast cancer populations.

Treatment Recommendations for the Use of Bone-Targeted Agents in 2011—Report from the 6th Annual Bone and the Oncologist New Updates Meeting

The 6th annual Bone and the Oncologist New Updates conference was held in Ottawa, Ontario, April 14–15, 2011. This meeting traditionally focuses on innovative research into the mechanisms and consequences of treatment-induced and metastatic bone disease. This year, the multidisciplinary audience was polled to produce “treatment recommendations for the use of bone-targeted agents.” In addition, the meeting report itself outlines some of the key topics presented on adjuvant bisphosphonate use and the role of bone-targeted agents in the settings of meta-static and cancer-therapy-induced bone loss.