Rapid infusion of ibandronate in lung cancer patients with bone metastases.

BACKGROUND The high prevalence of bone metastases in stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients contributes substantially to the burden of the disease by resulting in significant skeletal morbidity. Ibandronate is a new generation of bisphosphonates (BPs) with demonstrated clinical benefit in breast and prostate cancer patients with bone metastases. PATIENTS AND METHODS In 32 patients with newly diagnosed NSCLC and bone metastases, 4 mg of ibandronate were administered, as a rapid 20-minute intravenous infusion every 3-4 weeks. RESULTS A total of 189 infusions were administered over a 24-month period, during which a statistically significant decrease in calcium serum levels (p=0.03) was observed. The serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were also decreased, but not significantly. With regard to clinical efficacy, 24 of our patients stabilized or reduced their need for analgesic treatment. The reduced time of infusion (20 min vs. 2 h) did not correlate with any side-effects, including vital sign deterioration and renal dysfunction. CONCLUSION The rapid infusion of ibandronate in lung cancer patients with bone metastases is a safe and convenient procedure that may be administered in a day-clinic setting.