Normalization of bone markers is associated with improved survival in patients with bone metastases from solid tumors and elevated bone resorption receiving zoledronic acid

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Abstract
BACKGROUND.: For patients with bone metastases, high N‐telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX) levels correlate with increased risks of skeletal‐related events and death. However, the relation between NTX decreases and clinical benefits is unclear.METHODS.: Correlations between NTX normalization during treatment and clinical outcome were retrospectively analyzed in 3 large, phase 3 trials. Urinary NTX levels were measured at baseline and at Month 3 in patients with bone metastases from breast cancer (BC; n = 578), hormone‐refractory prostate cancer (HRPC; n = 472), or nonsmall‐cell lung cancer and other solid tumors (NSCLC/OST; n = 291) who received zoledronic acid or control (pamidronate for BC; placebo for HRPC and NSCLC/OST) for up to 24 months. NTX levels were characterized as normal (N; <64 nmol/mmol creatinine) or elevated (E; ≥64 nmol/mmol creatinine).RESULTS.: After 3 months of zoledronic acid, most N‐group patients maintained normal levels; however, most E‐group patients normalized their NTX levels (BC, 81%; HRPC, 70%; NSCLC/OST, 81%). In contrast, NTX levels normalized with pamidronate in 65% of BC, with placebo in 8% of HRPC, and in 17% of NSCLC/OST E‐group patients. Normalized NTX correlated with improved overall survival versus persistently elevated NTX (significant for zoledronic acid‐treated patients; trend for placebo‐treated patients). Moreover, percentage reductions from baseline NTX levels correlated with benefits regardless of whether patients transitioned from E to N.CONCLUSIONS.: Zoledronic acid normalizes or maintains normal NTX levels in most patients with bone metastases. Normalized NTX within 3 months of treatment, versus persistently elevated NTX, was associated with reduced risks of skeletal complications and death. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.