Effects of zoledronate on the radiation-induced collagen breakdown: a prospective randomized clinical trial

Forty patients with skeletal metastasis who were scheduled to undergo local radiotherapy were included in this study. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of zoledronate, a bisphosphonate, in collagen breakdown and bone loss secondary to radiation therapy. Patients were randomized to receive the first dose of the zoledronate either before, or after radiotherapy treatment. Findings indicated a significant reduction in lysylpyridinoline (LP) excretion and a reduction in hydroxylysylpyridinoline (HP) excretion when the bisphosphonate was administered prior to the therapy.