Treatment with clodronate in patients with hypercalcemia secondary to malignancy.

Dichloromethylene bisphosphonate (clodronate, Cl2MDP) is a synthetic analogue to pyrophosphate, which inhibits increased bone resorption. This drug was given to 12 patients with hypercalcemia secondary to advanced malignant disease. Clodronate in a daily dose of 1.6 to 3.2 g generally caused a return of the serum calcium values to normal within 5-10 days with a concomitant improvement of symptoms related to the hypercalcemia. Side effects were few. Thus, clodronate appears to be a valuable adjunct for the medical management of patients with malignancy-associated hypercalcemia.