Zometa as a prophylactic treatment for bone mineral density loss in cancer patients following allogeneic stem cell transplantation

A side-effect of allogeneic stem cell transplantation is a big loss in bone strength. Bone-strength is also called “bone mineral density” (BMD). One of the problems with a loss in bone strength is a higher risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures later in life. Hence, we are keen to look at ways by which this loss in bone-strength can be minimised. A group of drugs, called bisphosphonates, have been shown to reduce the rate of bone-strength loss after transplants. The current study is a follow-on study that will will use a newer and more powerful bisphosphonate drug called zoledronic acid or Zometa®. Zometa® will be given to all patients before transplant but after transplant it will only be given to those patients whose bone mineral density (BMD) scan shows a >3% loss of bone density or to patients who receive large doses of prednisolone (steroid therapy). The aim is to use Zometa® only when it is needed. The main measure of the success of the study is whether we can stop bone density loss, which will be calculated by comparing the results of the pre-transplant scan with those from the scans at day 100 and 12 months after the transplant.