Rapid and sustained influence of intravenous zoledronic Acid on course of pain and analgesics consumption in patients with cancer with bone metastases: a multicenter open-label study over 1 year.

Background: Bone metastases might lead to severe bone pain, pathologic fractures, and hypercalcemia. Osteolytic destruction is caused by the activation of osteoclasts by release of tumor-derived stimulating factors. Bisphosphonates are known to inhibit osteoclast function and, therefore, to alleviate the adverse effects of tumor-induced bone resorption.