Study of Zoledronic Acid for Patients With Hormone-sensitive Bone Metastases From Prostate Cancer

Zoledronic acid was provided by Novartis in vials containing 4 mg/5 mL liquid concentrate. Prior to administration, the liquid concentrate from one vial was to be further diluted with 100 mL of calcium-free infusion solution (0.9 % weight by volume sodium chloride solution or 5 % weight by volume glucose solution). If refrigerated, the solution had to be allowed to reach room temperature before administration.

After addition of the liquid concentrate to the infusion media, the infusion solution was to be used as soon as practicable to reduce the risk of microbiological hazard. If storage of the solution was necessary, it had to be refrigerated at temperatures between 2-8 degrees C and was to be used within 24 hours.

The infusion solution containing 4 mg zoledronic acid was to be administered every 4 weeks as an i.v. infusion over no less than 15 minutes.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) was to be administered according to institutional protocols, in accordance with relevant prescribing information. The type and duration of androgen deprivation was at the discretion of the treating specialist, and could include orchiectomy where this would normally have been performed. Androgen deprivation therapy was provided by the investigational center, or obtained by the patient from usual sources. Anti-androgen monotherapy and intermittent ADT were excluded in the first 12 months of the study.