New Perspectives on Zoledronic Acid in Breast Cancer: Potential Augmentation of Anticancer Immune Response

Abstract

A small subset of T cells (gamma–delta T cells) is able to recognize phosphoantigens that are overexpressed in some cancer cells and may selectively target and kill cancer cells with high levels of phosphoantigen. Moreover, nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates, such as zoledronic acid, are able to induce accumulation of specific phosphoantigens in some cancer cells. A recent preclinical study showed that gamma–delta T cells effectively targeted and killed zoledronic acid-treated estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer cells. These new data provide growing insight into a potential mechanism of action for some of the anticancer activity demonstrated by zoledronic acid in breast cancer clinical trials.

Keywords: :

• Anticancer
• Bisphosphonate
• Breast cancer
• T cells
• Zoledronic acid

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank Duprane Pedaci Young, PhD, ProEd Communications, Inc., for her medical editorial assistance with this manuscript. Financial support for medical editorial assistance was provided by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.