Background: Cancer therapy-induced bone loss (CTIBL) and bone loss in postmenopausal (PMW) increase fracture risk.
Objective: To review the efficacy and safety of zoledronic acid (ZA) for prevention and treatment of CTIBL and postmenopausal bone loss.
Methods: Using PubMed, a search of the English language literature (January 1950 to November 2007) was performed to identify articles evaluating ZA in CTIBL patients without bone metastases and for postmenopausal bone loss; articles were reviewed and evaluated.
Results/conclusion: Intermittent administration of ZA increases BMD, decreases bone turnover markers, and is well tolerated in both cancer patients without bone metastases and osteopenic/osteoporotic PMW. In osteopenic/osteoporotic PMW, ZA also decreases fracture rates and prevents second fractures. The optimal regimens in these populations are unknown.