BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Pamidronate is in a class of drugs called bisphosphonates. Pamidronate reduces breakdown of the bones.

CLINICAL USE

Pamidronate is used in the treatment of Paget's disease of bone; to reduce high levels of calcium in the blood associated with malignancy (cancer)

To reduce the breakdown of bone due to metastases of breast cancer or multiple myeloma (a type of cancer of the blood).

Is also used to treat hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood) that may occur with some types of cancer.

MODE OF ACTION

Pamidronate binds to hydroxyapatite and inhibits osteoclast migration and maturation. In Cancer patients with bone metastases and multiple myeloma, lytic bone metastases are caused by increased osteoclast activity. Metastatic tumor cells secrete paracrine factors, which stimulate neighboring osteoclasts to resorb bone. By inhibiting osteoclast function, Bisphosphonates interrupt the cascade of events that lead to tumor-induced osteolysis. Pamidronate normalizes serum calcium levels even in tumor induced hypercalcemiaS without detectable metastases. Pamidronate has been shown to reverse hypercalcemia, prevent or delay skeletal-related events and decrease bone pain

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