RAPID REDUCTION IN BONE PAIN FOLLOWING LOADING DOSE ZOLENDRONIC ACID IN PROSTATE CANCER PATIENTS

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of zolendronic acid loading dose in Prostate Cancer Patients (PCP) with bone metastases. Material-Methods: 31 PCP were treated with a loading dose of zolendronic acid. All patients were bisphosphonate naïve and had received symptomatic pain therapy. Patients rated pain severity on a daily basis using a numerical rating scale (NRS) from 0 to 10 within 3 weeks. All patients received further therapy. Results: Loading dose with zolendronic acid significantly reduced pain scores within 57 days of first infusion. NRS scores were reduced at day 7 (NRS 3-4) compared to day 0 (NRS=6-7). Reductions in pain scores were achieved without additional palliative therapy. Treatment with loading dose of zolendronic acid was well tolerated. Conclusion: The loading dose with zolendronic acid results in a rapid reduction metastatic bone pain in PCP (within days). Further clinical trials with loading dose of zolendronic acid in PCP, are warranted.