Skip to content

Prophylactic Zometa for hormone-positive breast cancer?

Page last modified on: January 7, 2009
Question from MLevine: Any new research about prophylactic Zometa for hormone-positive breast cancer? Thanks!
Answer —Ruth Oratz, M.D., F.A.C.P.: Yes. To review, there was a presentation at ASCO in June of this year which demonstrated that using Zometa (or zoledronic acid) may help prevent recurrence in young women with estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer. Historically, Zometa has been used for the treatment of bone metastases from breast and other cancers. Zometa is not a chemotherapy drug, but rather belongs to a class of drugs called bisphosphonates. These agents, including Fosamax (chemical name: alendronate sodium), Actonel (chemical name: risedronate), clodronate (brand name: Bonefos) and others, have also been shown to help improve bone density in women who have osteopenia or osteoporosis. At the San Antonio meeting, we saw an update of a clinical trial using Zometa in postmenopausal women with estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer who were also receiving an aromatase inhibitor as hormonal therapy. In this study, similar results were now reported for the benefit of Zometa in postmenopausal women as had previously been reported for premenopausal women. So, in addition to helping maintain bone density, Zometa may help prevent recurrences of breast cancer in hormone-receptor-positive cases.

On Wednesday, December 17, 2008, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Updates from the 2008 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Ruth Oratz, M.D., F.A.C.P. and Carol Kaplan, M.D. answered your questions about the latest updates on breast cancer risk, screening techniques, treatment options, and more.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

A production of LiveWorld, Inc.
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

Email Updates

Stay informed about current research, online events, and more.

Please leave this field empty

Meet the Experts

Ruth Oratz, M.D., F.A.C.P.Ruth Oratz, M.D., F.A.C.P. is associate professor of clinical medicine at New York University School of Medicine. She is the founder of The Women's Oncology & Wellness Practice in New York City where she specializes in treating women with breast cancer and other malignancies, as well as women at risk for cancer. 

Carol Kaplan, M.D. is an assistant professor of clinical medicine in the Rena Rowan Breast Center at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Her work revolves around the clinical care of breast cancer patients, as well as teaching medical students and house staff.

Back to top

Breastcancer.org 7 East Lancaster Avenue, 3rd Floor Ardmore, PA 19003

Learn more about our commitment to your privacy

© 2009 Breastcancer.org - All rights reserved.

Breastcancer.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing information and community to those touched by this disease. Learn more about our commitment to providing complete, accurate, and private breast cancer information.