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Bone2020; 142; 115711; doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2020.115711

Bisphosphonates in veterinary medicine: The new horizon for use.

Abstract: Bisphosphonates (BPs) are characterized by their ability to bind strongly to bone mineral and inhibit bone resorption. However, BPs exert a wide range of pharmacological activities beyond the inhibition of bone resorption, including the inhibition of cancer cell metastases and angiogenesis and the inhibition of proliferation and apoptosis in vitro. Additionally, the inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase activity, altered cytokine and growth factor expression, as well as reductions in parameters of pain have also been reported. In humans, clinical BP use has transformed the treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis, rare bone diseases such as osteogenesis imperfecta, as well as multiple myeloma and metastatic breast and prostate cancer, albeit not without infrequent but significant adverse events. Despite the well-characterized health benefits of BP use in humans, the evidence-base for the therapeutic efficacy of BPs in veterinary medicine is, by comparison, limited. Notwithstanding, BPs are used widely in small animal veterinary practice for the medical management of hyperparathyroidism, idiopathic hypercalcemia in cats, as well as for the palliative care of bone tumors which are common in dogs, and in particular, primary bone tumors such as osteosarcoma. Palliative BP treatment has also recently increased in veterinary oncology to alleviate tumor-associated bone pain. In equine veterinary practice, non-nitrogen-containing BPs are FDA-approved to control clinical signs associated with navicular syndrome in adult horses. However, there are growing concerns regarding the off-label use of BPs in juvenile horses. Here we discuss the current understanding of the strengths, weaknesses and current controversies surrounding BP use in veterinary medicine to highlight the future utility of these potentially beneficial drugs.
Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Inc.
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Publication Date: 2020-10-24 PubMed ID: 33141069DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2020.115711Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research discusses the benefits, drawbacks, and ongoing debates surrounding the use of Bisphosphonates (BPs) in veterinary medicine. While these drugs are renowned for their role in bone preservation, they are also known for other potential health benefits. However, there is less evidence to support their use in pets and other animals compared to humans, and this paper aims to further explore this topic.

Understanding Bisphosphonates

  • Bisphosphonates or BPs are known for their capability to bind powerfully to bone minerals, thereby inhibiting bone reabsorption.
  • They are not limited to this action; they also demonstrate other pharmacological activities including inhibiting the metastasis of cancer cells, angiogenesis, as well as cell proliferation and apoptosis in vitro.
  • BPs have also been recognized for influencing the activity of matrix metalloproteinase, modulating cytokine and growth factor expression, and reducing pain indicators.

Bisphosphonates’ Use in Medical Treatments

  • BPs have profoundly impacted the treatment methods of post-menopausal osteoporosis, rare bone disorders such as osteogenesis imperfecta, and certain types of cancers in humans. However, they may cause rare but substantial adverse effects.
  • In veterinary medicine, the empirical evidence supporting the employment of BPs for therapeutic purposes is quite limited as compared to human medicine.
  • BPs are, however, extensively used in small-animal veterinary practice for medical management of conditions like hyperparathyroidism and idiopathic hypercalcemia in cats, as well as palliative care for bone tumors, especially primary bone tumors such as osteosarcoma in dogs. They are also employed in alleviating bone pain associated with tumors.

Bisphosphonates in Equine Medicine

  • In equine medicine, non-nitrogen-containing BPs are FDA-sanctioned for managing clinical signs related to navicular syndrome in adult horses.
  • However, there are rising concerns regarding the off-label use of BPs in young horses.

Future Considerations for Bisphosphonate Use

  • This research aims to elaborate on the current understanding of the strengths and weaknesses, as well as existing debates around the usage of BPs in veterinary medicine.
  • It is designed to bring attention to the potential benefits and future applications of this class of drugs in veterinary medicine.

Cite This Article

APA
Suva LJ, Cooper A, Watts AE, Ebetino FH, Price J, Gaddy D. (2020). Bisphosphonates in veterinary medicine: The new horizon for use. Bone, 142, 115711. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bone.2020.115711

Publication

Bone
ISSN: 1873-2763
NlmUniqueID: 8504048
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 142
Pages: 115711

Researcher Affiliations

Suva, Larry J
  • Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA. Electronic address: larry-suva@tamu.edu.
Cooper, Alexis
  • Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
Watts, Ashlee E
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
Ebetino, Frank H
  • Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA; BioVinc, Pasadena, CA, USA.
Price, Joanna
  • Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, UK.
Gaddy, Dana
  • Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Neoplasms
  • Bone Resorption
  • Bone and Bones
  • Cats
  • Diphosphonates / therapeutic use
  • Dogs
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multiple Myeloma

Grant Funding

  • R37 AA018282 / NIAAA NIH HHS
  • R21 DE028076 / NIDCR NIH HHS
  • R42 DE025789 / NIDCR NIH HHS
  • R44 DE025524 / NIDCR NIH HHS
  • R44 AI125060 / NIAID NIH HHS

Citations

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