Osteonecrosis of the jaw during biyearly treatment with zoledronic acid for aromatase inhibitor associated bone loss in early breast cancer: A literature review

Abstract

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is one of the most relevant and specific complication of biphosphonates. ONJ in patients receiving zoledronic acid every 3 to 4 weeks is frequently described, but the ONJ biyearly regimen used to reduce aromatase inhibitor associated bone loss (AIBL), is rarely reported. A literature review, focusing on the important trials using zoledronic acid to reduce AIBL, found that the mean risk of developing ONJ when zoledronic acid is used biyearly varies between 0.12% and 0.7%.

Keywords

• Osteonecrosis of the jaw
• Zoledronic acid
• Bone loss
• Aromatase inhibitor
• Early breast cancer