Fosomax(alendronate) as use for palliative therapy for osteosarcoma
The Use of Alendronate(fosomax) for Palliation in Osteosarcoma Two years ago a paper was published describing the use of alendronate in 2 dogs with osteosarcoma-both dogs did well. This class of drugs is used in human cancer spread to the bones with good results. The doseage used in the original paper was 10mg daily-this was NOT effective in Irsh Wolfhounds with osteosarcoma. The dose in humans with proliferative bone lesions is 40mg daily. The Irish Wolfhound Foundation supported a study with CSU to evaluate this therapy. The dose used was 70mg every other day. Results varied in different dogs but most dogs had improvement in their pain and some dogs had a 3-6 month remission. This therapy is not curative-it does not offer the same life expectancy as amputation/chemotherapy but has given some wolfhounds better quality of life for some period of time.
The study is now closed to further entries and it will be several months before it will be published so vets know about it. If you wish to try this as palliation in your dog with osteosarcoma please remember it is not yet an approved therapy.
The dosage found effective was 70mg every other day. The drug has a long half-life in bone so using 40mg daily is a reasonable option. The fosomax is generic in the 10mg size and is less expensive so using 7 pills every other day or 4 pills every day may work better for owners. The drug is also available in a 40mg tablet and is less expensive than the 70mg in most pharmacies. There is a source in Canada-Total Care Pharmacy-phone# 1-888-626-0696 which may also help with cost. They require you to set up an account and then send a prescription from your vet. It takes3-4 weeks to get the first supply so you will need to get the first supply locally.
The fosomax needs to be given after at least a 6 hour fast. Give in a treat so the pill is swallowed all the way down. Water ok anytime. Give a small meal and other meds an hour later. Activity as usual.
The dogs have tolerated this drug well-there were 2 dogs that had significant diarrhea and had to stop the drug. Pain relief should be seen after the first 2-3 doses.
There is some data to support an anti-oncogenic effect with the NSAIDS-recommend using Deramaxx or Rimadyl etc with the fosomax as well as acupuncture etc etc as desired.
This is palliative therapy-not curative. Details on using Fosomax are here. Owners wishing to try Fosomax to help hounds with osteosarcoma can contact Karen Malone at IWPAW@VERIZON.NET for additional information on use of this therapy and the most cost-effective ways to obtain it.
Thank you to all the hounds and owners who supported this study.