Zoledronic acid to prevent bone loss in Chinese men receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer.

Aim: To explore the bone mineral density (BMD) preservation effect of zoledronic acid and its renal safety and tolerability in Chinese patients with prostate cancer on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).

Methods: Overall 26 prostate cancer patients with ADT were given zoledronic acid 4 mg by a 15-min i.v. infusion every 3 months for up to 12 months. Assessment was made at baseline and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure the BMD of the lumbar spine and the femoral neck at baseline and 12 months.

Results: A total of 23 of 26 recruited patients completed the study. Seven patients had bone metastases. The overall mean increase in BMD (T-score) of the lumbar spine and femoral head from baseline to follow up at 12 months was significant (-2.32 ± 0.98 to -2.03 ± 1.08, P = 0.02 and -1.77 ± 0.72 to -1.63 ± 0.76, P = 0.01, respectively). In subgroup analyses, significant BMD improvement was observed independent of the status of bone metastasis and the means of ADT. Zoledronic acid had no adverse effect on renal function. Adverse events related to zoledronic acid were minimal.

Conclusion: Zoledronic acid administered every 3 months significantly increased BMD in prostate cancer patients receiving ADT. It had a satisfactory adverse event profile and imposed minimal risk on patients' renal function.