The changing landscape of the medical management of skeletal metastases in nonsmall cell lung cancer

Abstract

Skeletal metastases are a frequent site of involvement for patients with metastatic nonsmall cell lung cancer. Skeletal metastases may result in skeletal-related events. These complications typically result in significant morbidity for patients and substantially increase the economic costs associated with the treatment of patients with skeletal metastases. The management of skeletal metastases in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer is evolving as improved treatments and monitoring become available.

In recent years, bisphosphonates such as zoledronic acid have shown efficacy in preventing and delaying skeletal-related events in patients with a variety of solid tumors, including nonsmall cell lung cancer. Biochemical markers of bone turnover such as bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and N-terminal telopeptide of collagen type I have shown some utility in predicting which patients are at greatest risk of developing skeletal-related events. These biochemical markers may play a role in directing treatment of skeletal metastases with either bisphosphonates or newer targeted therapies such as denosumab.

The management of skeletal metastases from nonsmall cell lung cancer is evolving as biochemical markers may be used to guide the treatment of these patients. Newer targeted therapies are also in development and may be used in the treatment of patients with skeletal metastases.