National Cancer Institute
U.S. National Institutes of Health | www.cancer.gov

NCI Home
Cancer Topics
Clinical Trials
Cancer Statistics
Research & Funding
News
About NCI
    Cancer Studies Highlighted in the NCI Cancer Bulletin  
 
    Posted: 09/07/2004    Updated: 02/28/2006
Page Options
Print This Page
E-Mail This Document
Search by Cancer Type
Breast Cancer

Colon and Rectal Cancer

Lung Cancer

Prostate Cancer

More Featured Trials
Search Featured Trials

      
Quick Links
Director's Corner
Updates from the Director

Dictionary of Cancer Terms
Cancer-related terms

NCI Drug Dictionary
Definitions, names, and links

Funding Opportunities
Research and training

NCI Publications
Order/download free booklets

Advisory Boards and Groups
Information, meetings, reports

Science Serving People
Learn more about NCI

Español
Información en español
NCI Highlights
Maintenance Rituximab for Follicular Lymphoma

Azacitidine Improves Survival in MDS

Second Stem Cell Transplant Not Helpful in Myeloma
You Can Quit Smoking Now!
Related Pages
Search for Clinical Trials
NCI's PDQ® registry of cancer clinical trials.

Prostate Cancer Home Page
NCI's gateway for information about prostate cancer.
Preventing Bone Fractures in Prostate Cancer Patients

Untitled Document

Name of the Trial

Phase III Randomized Study of Zoledronate for the Prevention of Skeletal-Related Events in Patients With Prostate Cancer and Bone Metastases Undergoing Androgen Deprivation Therapy (CALGB-90202). See the protocol summary.

Principal Investigator

Dr. Matthew Smith, Cancer and Leukemia Group B.

Dr. Matthew Smith
Dr. Matthew Smith
Principal Investigator

Why This Trial Is Important

Advanced prostate cancer often spreads to bones, a condition called bone metastases. Men with bone metastases are at risk for a variety of complications, including bone pain, fractures, and spinal cord compression. The mainstay of treatment for metastatic prostate cancer is androgen deprivation therapy, a treatment that markedly reduces levels of testosterone and other androgens (male hormones) in the body.

This study will evaluate the ability of zoledronic acid (Zometa®), one of a family of drugs known as bisphosphonates, to prevent bone complications when administered at the same time as or shortly following androgen deprivation therapy. Currently, zoledronic acid is given to prostate cancer patients after androgen deprivation has stopped working.

"We know that zoledronic acid inhibits bone resorption and that it reduces problems such as fractures, spinal column compression, and pain associated with bone metastases after androgen deprivation therapy has failed," said Dr. Smith. "The question this trial is intended to answer is whether giving zoledronic acid to patients earlier, while they are still responding to androgen deprivation therapy, will result in improved outcomes."

Who Can Join This Trial

Researchers seek to enroll 680 patients with confirmed diagnoses of prostate cancer and bone metastases who are undergoing androgen deprivation therapy. See the list of eligibility criteria for this trial.

Study Sites and Contact Information

Study sites in the United States are recruiting patients for this trial. See the list of study site contacts or call the NCI's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). The call is toll free and completely confidential.

 

Back to Top


A Service of the National Cancer Institute
Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health USA.gov