Methylpentylaminopropylidenebisphosphonate (BM 21.0955): a new potent and safe bisphosphonate for the treatment of cancer-associated hypercalcemia

Summary Bisphosphonates have been shown to be effective in lowering serum calcium levels in patients with cancer-associated hypercalcemia. l-Hydroxy-3-(methylpentylamino)propylidenebisphosphonate (BM 21.0955) was developed as a third generation bisphosphonate and has been recently proven effective in animals and in patients with Paget's disease or tumor osteolysis. Thirty-six patients with cancer-associated hypercalcemia were treated with increasing doses (0.2–2.0 mg) of BM 21.0955 by single i.v. infusion over 4 h in a phase I trial. Six patients were rejected from analysis due to concomitant treatment with other bisphosphonates or chemotherapy. After rehydration and infusion of BM 21.0955 the mean serum calcium levels fell significantly ( P P P