Denosumab for the treatment of cancer therapy-induced bone loss and prevention of skeletal-related events in patients with solid tumors

Development of bone metastasis is common among patients with advanced cancer. Improvements in chemotherapeutic agents have allowed these patients to live longer with metastatic-stage disease. Thus, treatments to prevent skeletal complications of metastatic bone disease, such as skeletal-related events and pain, are increasingly important. As the skeletal damage with bone metastases is largely caused by increased osteoclast activity, antiresorptive agents (denosumab or bisphosphonates) are recommended for use in these patients. Denosumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody to RANKL, a key mediator of osteoclast activity, was shown to be superior to zoledronic acid for the prevention of skeletal-related events in patients with solid tumors and bone metastases. In addition, denosumab is the only agent currently approved for the treatment of bone loss in patients with breast or prostate cancer receiving hormone-ablation therapy. Denosumab is also being evaluated in several other indications, including adjuvant treatment of breast cancer and giant cell tumor of the bone.