Use of Dichloromethylene Diphosphonate in Metastatic Bone Disease

Abstract

Dichloromethylene diphosphonate (clodronate), a new compound, has powerful activity against osteoclasts and has been used successfully to treat hypercalcemia associated with cancer. We studied its effects on calcium balance in patients with malignant osteolytic lesions. Ten normocalcemic patients with advanced metastatic bone disease or myeloma were evaluated in a baseline 20-day balance and calcium kinetic study. They were then randomized to a clodronate or placebo regimen, treated intravenously for two weeks and orally for a month, and finally reevaluated in another 20-day balance and kinetic study, conducted while they were still receiving treatment.