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Use of Adjuvant Bisphosphonates and Other Bone-Modifying Agents in Breast Cancer

Version: 2 ID: GL 1-22-A Jul 2022
Type of Content: Guidelines & Advice, Clinical
Document Status: Current
Authors:
Sukhbinder Dhesy-Thind, Glenn G Fletcher, Phillip S Blanchette, Mark J Clemons, Sonal Gandhi, Rasna Gupta, Mihaela Mates, Ted Vandenberg


Guideline Objective

To make recommendations regarding the use of bisphosphonates and other bone-modifying agents as adjuvant therapy for patients with breast cancer.

Patient Population

Patients with early or locally advanced (non-metastatic) breast cancer

Intended Guideline Users

Medical oncologists and other clinicians involved in post-surgical (adjuvant) treatment of patients with breast cancer

Research Questions

  1. Does administration of bisphosphonates or other bone-modifying agents as adjuvant treatment in patients with breast cancer reduce metastasis and/or recurrence and improve survival?
  2. Does effectiveness depend on patient or disease characteristics, especially age or menopausal status (natural or induced menopause)?
  3. Do effectiveness and adverse effects differ according to which bisphosphonate or bone-modifying agent is used?
  4. What doses, duration of administration, and route (intravenous, oral) are optimal?
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