Zoledronic acid

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ONC-009492",
  "term": "Zoledronic acid",
  "field": "Oncology and biomedicine",
  "definitions": [
    "A drug used alone to treat hypercalcemia (high blood levels of calcium) caused by cancer and with other anticancer drugs to treat multiple myeloma and cancers that have spread to the bone. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Zoledronic acid may help keep bone from breaking down and prevent the loss of calcium from the bones. It is a type of bisphosphonate. Also called zoledronate and Zometa.",
    "A synthetic imidazole bisphosphonate analog of pyrophosphate with anti-bone-resorption activity. A third-generation bisphosphonate, zoledronic acid binds to hydroxyapatite crystals in the bone matrix, slowing their dissolution and inhibiting the formation and aggregation of these crystals. This agent also inhibits farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, an enzyme involved in terpenoid biosynthesis. Inhibition of this enzyme prevents the biosynthesis of isoprenoid lipids, donor substrates of farnesylation and geranylgeranylation during the post-translational modification of small GTPase signalling proteins, which are important in the process of osteoclast turnover. Decreased bone turnover and stabilization of the bone matrix contribute to the analgesic effect of zoledronic acid with respect to painful osteoblastic lesions. The agent also reduces serum calcium concentrations associated with hypercalcemia."
  ],
  "synonyms": [
    "zoledronate",
    "Zometa",
    "NDC-zoledronate"
  ],
  "references": [
    "NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms",
    "National Cancer Institute Thesaurus"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/oncology/zoledronic-acid/"
}