Is IV Zometa beneficial for someone who has taken Fosamax?

Page last modified on: March 17, 2010

Question from otic: With the report that women on Fosamax may have protection against breast cancer, is there any information about whether IV Zometa would be advantageous to someone who has already been taking Fosamax?: Answer —Kathy Miller, M.D.: Yes, potentially. The Zometa is a much more potent form of bisphosphonates so it may be more effective than Fosamax (chemical name: alendronate sodium). We are also learning that Zometa has other effects that may influence how tumors grow that is not related to its effects on the bones. Specifically Zometa can also decrease the blood supply to the tumors in other areas of the body, and that is not an effect that we have seen with all of the bisphosphonates. Whether it makes sense for you to change your treatment is something you need to discuss with your oncologist because there may be other considerations as well.

On Tuesday, December 15, 2009, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Updates from the 2009 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Kathy Miller, M.D. and Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S. 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.

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Meet the Experts

Kathy D. Miller, M.D. is associate professor of medical oncology at Indiana University, and a Sheila D. Ward Scholar.

Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a breast surgeon and clinical instructor at the Thomas Jefferson University Department of Surgery in Philadelphia, PA. She also maintains a practice in Cherry Hill, N.J. Dr. Brill is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. In addition, she has published breast cancer research in medical journals such as Annals of Plastic Surgery and Cancer, and she has presented research at the American Society of Clinical Oncology.