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A recent breakthrough in cancer research has brought out a new drug ‘zoledronic acid’ that may prevent lung cancer from spreading in the early stages.

Lung cancer, the carcinoma of the lungs is one of the commonest forms of cancer which characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cells in the lung tissues. Symptoms of lung cancer include excessive weight loss, shortness of breath and persistent cough. Every year about 1.3 million people die of lung cancer worldwide. A recent research has revealed that ‘zoledronic acid’, a drug that is majorly used for the treatment of bone diseases, can also be helpful in preventing lung cancer from spreading in the early stages of treatment.

Zoledronic acid, also known as zoledronate is a drug which is generally used for treating osteoporosis and preventing skeletal fractures in cancer patients. It was announced in a recent European Multidisciplinary Conference that Zoledronic acid may play a key role in preventing the lung cancer from spreading. Italian researchers from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome have found significant evidence from their study that zoledronic acid can prevent the spreading of a lung cancer to other body parts via recruitment of new blood vessels needed for survival. This process of formation of new blood vessels is known as angiogenesis.

The present study is one of the first investigations that provided significant biological basis and a clear objective evidence that zoledronic acid can help in countering angiogenesis in patients diagnosed with metastatic (capable of spreading) lung cancer. As a part of the study the researchers worked with data collected from a study population of 41 patients who were diagnosed with advanced lung cancer.. Every patient was injected with about 4 milligrams of the bone drug zoledronic acid, and then their blood levels were measured for various molecular indicators of angiogenesis including VEGF, PDGF, b-FGF and HGF. The measurements were taken twice; firstly before injecting the drug into the patients and secondly 48 hours after injecting the drug.  When the second reading was taken after 48 hours, the researchers observed a substantial decrease in the levels of the VEGF molecule and also the b-FGF molecule as compared to their baseline values. However, no significant reduction was found in the levels of the other two indicators viz., PDGF and HGF molecules.

Findings from the study single out the key role played by zoledronic acid in preventing the lung cancer from spreading. The study also emphasizes the significance of targeting the reduction of VEGF and b-FGF molecules which may in turn play a substantial role in preventing the metastasis of lung cancer.  Researchers believe that the study has laid firm foundation for future studies on the subject and has opened new gateways for exploring the potential capabilities of zoledronic acid not only in preventing lung cancer from spreading but also in the treatment of disease.

Reference:
A recent study by Dr Michela Quirino and his team, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome
For more information, please visit: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-02/esfm-bdz022411.php

Disclaimer: This article is written by a non-medical professional.