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New role for an established drug? Bisphosphonates as potential anticancer agents

Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases volume 15, pages 111–119 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

As a result of their ability to effectively reduce the risk of skeletal-related events, bisphosphonates (BPs) were incorporated into clinical practice over a decade ago, leading to a new treatment paradigm for patients with skeletal involvement from advanced cancer. BPs are now a well-established treatment option in this setting. Our review of the literature found that in addition to maintaining bone health in patients with malignant bone lesions and patients at risk for cancer therapy-induced bone loss, emerging preclinical and clinical data suggest that BPs may also have anticancer activity. Later generation, nitrogen-containing BPs (N-BPs), such as zoledronic acid (ZOL), inhibit the mevalonate pathway, subsequently inhibiting a number of cellular functions in bone-resorbing osteoclasts. In addition, N-BPs inhibit cancer cell proliferation, viability, motility, invasion and angiogenesis; induce cancer cell apoptosis; and act in synergy with antineoplastic agents. N-BPs, especially ZOL, may be useful as anticancer agents. As evidence continues to emerge, another shift in cancer treatment paradigms, in which N-BPs are considered for their anticancer activity as well as palliative effects, may be approaching.

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Acknowledgements

Financial support for medical editorial assistance was provided by Novartis Pharmaceuticals. We thank Duprane Pedaci Young, PhD, ProEd Communications, for her medical editorial assistance with this paper.

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  1. Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado at Denver, Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA

    H K Koul, S Koul & R B Meacham

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H Koul has received investigator-initiated research grant support from Novartis and is a member of the Novartis Zometa National Advisory Board. S Koul and RB Meacham declare no conflict of interest.

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Koul, H., Koul, S. & Meacham, R. New role for an established drug? Bisphosphonates as potential anticancer agents. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 15, 111–119 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/pcan.2011.41

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