Background: Bone is one of the most common sites of metastasis in advanced breast cancer. Incadronate disodium, a third-generation bisphosphonate, has demonstrated efficacy in relieving bone-related symptoms. However, there are few studies on the efficacy and safety specifically for bone metastases in advanced breast cancer. The study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of incadronate disodium in the treatment of bone metastases in patients with advanced breast cancer. Methods: A retrospective real-world analysis was conducted on patients with advanced breast cancer and bone metastases who received incadronate disodium at our department from August 2021 to March 2024. Patients were assessed for bone pain relief, mobility improvement, and related adverse effects Results: A total of 181 patients were included. For all patients whose effects could be evaluated (n = 160), the overall pain relief rate was 81.6%, and the overall mobility improvement rate was 88.9%. Patients with more severe baseline pain experienced greater pain relief, while those with less severe pain had fewer mobility limitations and better improvements after treatment. The main adverse effects were fever, fatigue, elevated transaminases, myalgia, and anorexia. No cases of jaw osteonecrosis occurred Discussion: In this study, incadronate disodium showed high rates of pain relief and improved mobility, with greater benefits observed in patients with more severe baseline pain and with a favorable safety profile. Longterm safety monitoring indicated minimal impact on renal function and electrolytes, though attention is needed for potential risks like Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ) and hypocalcemia. Pre-treatment dental evaluation and daily calcium/vitamin D supplementation are recommended to mitigate these risks. The study also notes that switching to incadronate after disease progression can be beneficial. However, as a single-center retrospective study without a control group, these findings require further validation through prospective randomized controlled trials. Conclusion: Incadronate disodium is effective and safe in relieving bone pain and improving mobility in advanced breast cancer patients with bone metastases. It represents a promising treatment option for this patient population.
Zhu et al. (Wed,) studied this question.