Video

Dr. Gralow Explains the Side Effects of Zoledronic Acid

Julie R. Gralow, MD, from Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, discusses the side effects associated with the administration of zoledronic acid.

Julie R. Gralow, MD, Director, Breast Medical Oncology, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA), discusses the side effects associated with the administration of zoledronic acid (Zometa) in the adjuvant setting for postmenopausal patients with breast cancer.

Gralow explains that the administration of zoledronic acid every 6 months does not result in many adverse events, as demonstrated by the ABCSG-12 and ZO-FAST trials. When administering bisphosphonates, it is important to check for renal toxicities; however, when zoledronic acid was administered every 6 months the renal toxicity was not a prominent adverse event.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is commonly associated with the monthly dose of zoledronic acid that is used to treat bone metastases. This side effect is common for most bisphosphonates. In the 6-month adjuvant trials, the occurrence of ONJ was rare and not widely reported, Gralow states.

For patients receiving a once every 6-month dose of zoledronic acid, the most common side effects were infusion-related reactions. These reactions mimicked those most commonly seen with the flu and generally did not stretch beyond the first infusion, for most patients.

Newsletter

Stay up to date on the most recent and practice-changing oncology data

Latest CME

View All
Tumor Board: Expert Insights on Managing Classical 𝘌𝘎𝘍𝘙 Mutations, 𝘌𝘎𝘍𝘙 Exon 20 Insertions, and Atypical 𝘌𝘎𝘍𝘙 Mutations in Metastatic NSCLC
Video

Tumor Board: Expert Insights on Managing Classical 𝘌𝘎𝘍𝘙 Mutations, 𝘌𝘎𝘍𝘙 Exon 20 Insertions, and Atypical 𝘌𝘎𝘍𝘙 Mutations in Metastatic NSCLC

Jun 6th 2025 - Jul 12th 2025

online-activity
Medical Crossfire®: Expert Perspectives on Targeting c-Met Overexpression and 𝘔𝘌𝘛 Genomic Alterations in NSCLC – Unveiling the Complexities of 𝘔𝘌𝘛 Dysregulation
Video

Medical Crossfire®: Expert Perspectives on Targeting c-Met Overexpression and 𝘔𝘌𝘛 Genomic Alterations in NSCLC – Unveiling the Complexities of 𝘔𝘌𝘛 Dysregulation

Jun 6th 2025 - Jul 12th 2025

online-activity
Evolving Treatment Strategies in Pancreatic Cancer: Current Standards, Emerging Targets, and the Role of Molecular Testing
Video

Evolving Treatment Strategies in Pancreatic Cancer: Current Standards, Emerging Targets, and the Role of Molecular Testing

Jun 5th 2025 - Jul 12th 2025

online-activity