SIDE EFFECTS

Multiple vertebral fractures after discontinuation of denosumab as XGEVA

The Swiss medicines authority Swissmedic and Amgen (Switzerland) are once again warning of multiple vertebral fractures after discontinuation of the RANKL antagonist denosumab, now in connection with the higher dosed preparation to prevent skeletal complications in patients with advanced cancers and bone involvement (XGEVA). The warning signal comes from ongoing clinical trials with XGEVA. The fractures are not caused by bone metastases. They occurred in women who were known to have osteoporosis in addition to their malignant disease or who have previously experienced fractures (1). As far as we were aware, the complication was previously only known with the denosumab preparation PROLIA, which is used to treat osteoporosis (a-t 2017; 48: 16, 47-8, 93). It has been linked to a rebound-like increase in bone resorption - with a decrease in bone density even to below the initial level (1) - following discontinuation of the drug (2). To date, the European Medicines Agency has refused to issue a warning about this (3). Although the clinical data on this are limited, expert groups recommend considering switching patients whose treatment with denosumab is to be ended to another antiresorptive treatment, most likely a bisphosphonate (2, 4). Swissmedic recommends that before starting treatment with denosumab, the risk of multiple vertebral fractures following discontinuation should be taken into account as part of an individual assessment of the risks and benefits (1).

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