[Bone is the most common site of metastatic disease in many solid tumours, mainly in breast, prostate and lung cancer. Patients with bone metastases are at risk for skeletal-related events such as bone pain, pathological fractures requiring surgery and/or radiation to bone lesions, hypercalcemia, and spinal cord compression. Skeletal-related events are major source of morbidity for cancer patients and may be associated with negative impact on quality of life and survival. Bisphosphonates inhibit osteoclast function and are widely used in the treatment of malignant bone disease, as preventive therapy against skeletal-related events. Recently, the NF-κappa B-ligand (RANKL)-mediated osteoclast activity and this pathway in bone metabolism became a prime target for the treatment of bone metastases. The fi rst drug targeting the RANK-RANKL pathway is denosumab, a fully monoclonal human antibody which binds to RANKL and inhibits osteoclast activity. Nowadays optimal treatment of bone metastases requires multidisciplinary management of patients including the administration of bone-modifying agents such bisphosphonates or denosumab. The use of bone-targeted agents is a valuable additional treatment in the fi ght against bone metastases and multiple, randomised trials have demonstrated the effectivity of these drugs in reducing skeletal morbidity caused by advanced cancer.]

[Bone metastases (BMs) are common in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and approximately in 30% of patients with metastatic RCC (mRCC) will develop. Inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been pursued as a therapeutic target in the treatment of metastatic clear cell RCC (mRCC). Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as sunitinib, pazopanib, sorafenib, and axitinib, became the therapy of choice for patients with mRCC. Apart from the undisputed effi cacy of TKI in treatment of mRCC, the problem of metastatic bone disease still remains. There is evidence that the presence of BMs in m-RCC patients has a signifi cant and clinically-relevant negative impact on survival and potentially on the outcome of VEGF-targeted therapy. Also, common practice in the treatment of such patients is bonedirected therapy with BPs. Recent evidence shows a potentially synergistic effect on effi cacy but also a potential impact on increased toxicity of combining TKIs and BPs. This review highlights the importance of this subject and aims to facilitate further research and optimize the treatment of this important and common group of RCC patients.]

[1600 mg/d oral clodronate has been shown to reduce the incidence of skeletal complications significantly in advanced breast cancer cases with lytic bone metastases. Analysis of clinical trials revealed that the adjuvant, prophylactic administration of clodronate possibly decreases the number of non-skeletal metastases and might prolong survival.]

[Postmenopausal osteoporosis affects 7-10% of the population of developed countries. During the past decade, a number of new therapeutical modalities have been made available. Among these, bisphosphonates mean the mainstay of medical treatment. Ibandronate belongs to the amino-bisphosphonate group of these drugs. Amino-bisphosphonates act via the mevalonate metabolic pathway, thus, inhibiting protein prenylation. Several clinical studies have shown a significant reduction in the fracture risk of osteoporotic patients treated with ibandronate. This compound can be administered orally once a month or intravenously once in every 3 months. Longer dosing intervals stimulate patient compliance, and consequently increase efficacy and cost effectiveness.]

[Osteonecrosis caused by bisphosphonates has been known for a long time, but it is still not widely known. Some people overestimate the danger caused by this disease, whereas others underrate it. In this paper, we summerise data from the international literature and our experiences concerning 93 patients treated at our clinic. We discuss the already known details of the pathomechanism of this disease, its risk factors, the diagnostic methods, the specific stages of the disease and the treatment approaches. Considering the difficulties of treatment, we can't emphasise enough the importance of prevention, since the development of this complication can be minimised even in patients at risk with dental sanation before the bisphosphonate therapy and/or with further intervention performed with antibiotic preventive therapy. We must also point out the importance of early diagnosis and of directing these patients to the appropriate specialist units.]