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Zoledronic Acid

Drugs and Chemicals · NLM MeSH · updated 2026-10-31 · version 1

Citations verified against PubMedNot yet clinician-reviewed10 referencesApproximately 5 min read

An imidobisphosphonate inhibitor of bone resorption that is used for the treatment of malignancy-related hypercalcemia; osteitis deformans; and osteoporosis.

Table of Contents

1. Definition2. Research landscape3. Reading the evidence4. Open-access studies5. Key reviews6. References7. About this article

Definition and research guide

This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.

Content available: 4 complete abstracts (960 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.

Definition

An imidobisphosphonate inhibitor of bone resorption that is used for the treatment of malignancy-related hypercalcemia; osteitis deformans; and osteoporosis.

Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.

Also known as: 2-(Imidazol-1-yl)-1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid; Zoledronic Acid Anhydrous; CGP 42446A; CGP 42'446; CGP-42'446; CGP42'446; CGP-42446; CGP42446.

Where it fits in the MeSH classification

Broader topics
Diphosphonates; Imidazoles

Related concepts

  • Bone Resorption
  • Hypercalcemia
  • Osteitis Deformans
  • Osteoporosis

Research landscape

PubMed indexes 4,580 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Zoledronic Acid” (counts retrieved 2026-10-31). 1,147 of them (25.0%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2010-2019 with 2,329 records.

Reviews account for 567 records (12.4%) and meta-analyses for 87. Randomized controlled trials number 489 (10.7%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up a comparatively large share of this literature, which means many treatment questions have been tested directly.

PubMed records by publication periodthrough 1999: 0 records; 2000-2009: 1,144 records; 2010-2019: 2,329 records; 2020 onward: 1,147 records0through 19991,1442000-20092,3292010-20191,1472020 onward
Records in PubMed indexed with this heading, by publication period. Real counts from NCBI E-utilities; the final period covers only part of the current year. Volume reflects how much has been published, not how strong the evidence is.
Show the data
PeriodRecords
through 19990
2000-20091,144
2010-20192,329
2020 onward1,147
Share of records by publication typeReviews: 12.4 percent; Meta-analyses: 1.9 percent; Randomized controlled trials: 10.7 percentReviews12.4% (567)Meta-analyses1.9% (87)Randomized controlled trials10.7% (489)
Share of all PubMed records on this heading that carry each publication type. Types overlap with other records, so the shares do not sum to 100%.
Publication-type chart data
Publication types among 4,580 PubMed records
TypeRecordsShare
Reviews56712.4%
Meta-analyses871.9%
Randomized controlled trials48910.7%

Method: PubMed query "Zoledronic Acid"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-31.

Reading the evidence in drugs and chemicals

Studies of a chemical or drug can answer very different questions: what it is and how it behaves in cells and animals, how the body handles it, and whether it changes outcomes in people. Laboratory and animal findings often do not carry over to patients, and observational studies of exposures are confounded by who uses a substance and why. Nothing on this page is a recommendation to use, avoid, start or stop any substance or medicine; talk to a qualified clinician or pharmacist about your own situation. Check the dose, the species, the comparison group and whether a patient-relevant outcome was measured.

Evidence from open-access studies

These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.

Study comparison — selected abstracts, not a systematic review
Study / authorsYearSource label / designEurope PMC citationsLicence / source
Diagnosis and Management of Paget's Disease of Bone in Adults: A Clinical Guideline
Ralston SH, Corral-Gudino L, Cooper C, Francis RM, Fraser WD, Gennari L, et al.
2019Research article
Design not recorded in structured metadata
148cc by
PMID 30803025 · DOI · PMC6522384
International randomised controlled trial for the treatment of newly diagnosed EWING sarcoma family of tumours - EURO EWING 2012 Protocol
Anderton J, Moroz V, Marec-Bérard P, Gaspar N, Laurence V, Martín-Broto J, et al.
2020Research article
Design not recorded in structured metadata
85cc by
PMID 31952545 · DOI · PMC6969439
Relationship between tooth extraction and development of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in cancer patients
Soutome S, Otsuru M, Hayashida S, Murata M, Yanamoto S, Sawada S, et al.
2021Research article
Design not recorded in structured metadata
63cc by
PMID 34446755 · DOI · PMC8390686
Rescuing Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Macrophages Prevents Osteonecrosis of the Jaw in Anti-Resorptive Therapy
Zhang H, Shen X, Liu H, Yuan X, Cao M, Lv X, et al.
2026Research article
Design not recorded in structured metadata
0cc by
PMID 41354629 · DOI · PMC12931161

Diagnosis and Management of Paget's Disease of Bone in Adults: A Clinical Guideline [1]

Research article Ralston SH, Corral-Gudino L, Cooper C, Francis RM, Fraser WD, Gennari L, et al. · · 2019 · cited 148 times (Europe PMC)

Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
Opening excerpt
An evidence-based clinical guideline for the diagnosis and management of Paget's disease of bone (PDB) was developed using GRADE methodology, by a Guideline Development Group (GDG) led by the Paget's Association (UK).
Closing excerpt
Journal of Bone and Mineral Research Published by Wiley Periodicals Inc.
Interpretation limits
Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (297 words)

An evidence-based clinical guideline for the diagnosis and management of Paget's disease of bone (PDB) was developed using GRADE methodology, by a Guideline Development Group (GDG) led by the Paget's Association (UK). A systematic review of diagnostic tests and pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment options was conducted that sought to address several key questions of clinical relevance. Twelve recommendations and five conditional recommendations were made, but there was insufficient evidence to address eight of the questions posed. The following recommendations were identified as the most important: 1) Radionuclide bone scans, in addition to targeted radiographs, are recommended as a means of fully and accurately defining the extent of metabolically active disease in patients with PDB. 2) Serum total alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is recommended as a first-line biochemical screening test in combination with liver function tests in screening for the presence of metabolically active PDB. 3) Bisphosphonates are recommended for the treatment of bone pain associated with PDB. Zoledronic acid is recommended as the bisphosphonate most likely to give a favorable pain response. 4) Treatment aimed at improving symptoms is recommended over a treat-to-target strategy aimed at normalizing total ALP in PDB. 5) Total hip or knee replacements are recommended for patients with PDB who develop osteoarthritis in whom medical treatment is inadequate. There is insufficient information to recommend one type of surgical approach over another. The guideline was endorsed by the European Calcified Tissues Society, the International Osteoporosis Foundation, the American Society of Bone and Mineral Research, the Bone Research Society (UK), and the British Geriatric Society. The GDG noted that there had been a lack of research on patient-focused clinical outcomes in PDB and identified several areas where further research was needed. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research Published by Wiley Periodicals Inc.

Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 30803025 · DOI · PMC6522384

International randomised controlled trial for the treatment of newly diagnosed EWING sarcoma family of tumours - EURO EWING 2012 Protocol [2]

Research article Anderton J, Moroz V, Marec-Bérard P, Gaspar N, Laurence V, Martín-Broto J, et al. · · 2020 · cited 85 times (Europe PMC)

Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
Opening excerpt
BackgroundAlthough there have been multiple randomised trials in newly diagnosed Ewing sarcoma family of tumours (ESFT) and these have been conducted over many years and involved many international cooperative groups, the outcomes for all stages of disease have plateaued.
Closing excerpt
Registered with ISRCTN number 54540667 on 4 November 2013.
Interpretation limits
Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (336 words)

BackgroundAlthough there have been multiple randomised trials in newly diagnosed Ewing sarcoma family of tumours (ESFT) and these have been conducted over many years and involved many international cooperative groups, the outcomes for all stages of disease have plateaued. Internationally, the standard treatment of ESFT is not defined, and there is a need to add new agents other than conventional chemotherapy to improve outcomes. This trial will compare two different induction/consolidation chemotherapy regimens: (1) vincristine, ifosfamide, doxorubicin and etoposide (VIDE) induction and vincristine, actinomycin D, ifosfamide or cyclophosphamide, or busulfan and mephalan (VAI/VAC/BuMel) consolidation and (2) vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide and etoposide (VDC/IE) induction and ifosfamide and etoposide, vincristine and cyclophosphamide, vincristine, actinomycin D and ifosfamide, or busulfan and mephalan (IE/VC/VAI/BuMel) consolidation (randomisation 1, or R1). A second randomisation (R2) will determine whether the addition of zoledronic acid to consolidation chemotherapy, as assigned at R1, is associated with improved clinical outcome.MethodsEURO EWING 2012 is an international, multicentre, phase III, open-label randomised controlled trial. There are two randomisations: R1 and R2. Patients are randomly assigned at two different time points: at entry to the trial (R1) and following local control therapy (R2). The primary outcome measure is event-free survival. The secondary outcome measures include overall survival, adverse events and toxicity, histological response of the primary tumour, response of the primary tumour, regional lymph nodes or metastases (or both), and achievement of local control at the end of treatment.DiscussionThis study will establish which is the "standard regimen" of chemotherapy, taking into account both clinical outcomes and toxicity. This will form the chemotherapy backbone for future interventional studies where we may want to add new targeted agents. It will also determine the role of zoledronic acid in conjunction with the separate EE2008 trial. Any trial in ESFT needs to take into account the rarity of the tumour and consider that international cooperation is needed to provide answers in a timely manner.Trial registrationRegistered with EudraCT number 2012-002107-17 on 26 February 2012. Registered with ISRCTN number 54540667 on 4 November 2013.

Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 31952545 · DOI · PMC6969439

Relationship between tooth extraction and development of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in cancer patients [3]

Research article Soutome S, Otsuru M, Hayashida S, Murata M, Yanamoto S, Sawada S, et al. · · 2021 · cited 63 times (Europe PMC)

Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
Opening excerpt
Tooth extraction has been avoided since it has been considered a major risk factor for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ).
Closing excerpt
Teeth that can be an infection source increases the risk of MRONJ, and thus, they need to be extracted even during BMA administration.
Interpretation limits
Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (191 words)

Tooth extraction has been avoided since it has been considered a major risk factor for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). However, MRONJ may also develop from tooth that is an infection source. This study aimed to clarify whether tooth extraction is a risk factor for the development of MRONJ in cancer patients receiving bone-modifying agents (BMAs). This retrospective observational study included 189 patients (361 jaws) from two hospitals. The risk factors of MRONJ were identified by comparing patient characteristics between those who did and did not develop MRONJ. Furthermore, the effect of tooth extraction during BMA therapy was analyzed after adjusting for confounding factors using the propensity score matching method. MRONJ occurred in 33 patients jaws. A longer duration of BMA administration, fewer number of teeth, presence of symptoms of local infection, and infected teeth were independent risk factors of MRONJ. However, tooth extraction during BMA therapy did not increase the risk. Propensity score matching analysis showed that tooth extraction significantly lowered the risk of MRONJ development. Teeth that can be an infection source increases the risk of MRONJ, and thus, they need to be extracted even during BMA administration.

Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 34446755 · DOI · PMC8390686

Rescuing Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Macrophages Prevents Osteonecrosis of the Jaw in Anti-Resorptive Therapy [4]

Research article Zhang H, Shen X, Liu H, Yuan X, Cao M, Lv X, et al. · · 2026

Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
Opening excerpt
Mitochondria-driven macrophage dysregulation contributes significantly to inflammatory disease progression; however, the mechanism underlying bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) remains unclear.
Closing excerpt
These findings highlight bone-targeted mitochondria rescue as a promising strategy to enhance antiresorptive therapy.
Interpretation limits
Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (136 words)

Mitochondria-driven macrophage dysregulation contributes significantly to inflammatory disease progression; however, the mechanism underlying bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) remains unclear. This study demonstrates that zoledronic acid (ZA) disrupts mitochondrial bioenergetic function in macrophages, leading to elevated mitochondrial membrane potential, excessive mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS), and increased HIF-1α expression, which together promote a pro-inflammatory transition in macrophages. ZA further inhibits autophagy by activating the TLR4-MyD88/PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway, preventing the clearance of dysfunctional mitochondria and sustaining superoxide production. Genetic loss of Atg5 in innate immune cells disrupts autophagosome maturation and markedly worsens ZA-induced BRONJ development. To restore mitochondrial degradation and biofunction, ZA-loaded nanoparticles incorporating the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin (ZDPR) are developed. ZDPR effectively prevents BRONJ and exerts therapeutic benefits in osteoporosis and osteolysis. These findings highlight bone-targeted mitochondria rescue as a promising strategy to enhance antiresorptive therapy.

Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41354629 · DOI · PMC12931161

Key reviews and meta-analyses

The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.

  • Research article New insights into molecular and cellular mechanisms of zoledronate in human osteosarcoma [5]
    Lu KH, Lu EW, Lin CW, Yang JS, Yang SF · Pharmacol Ther · 2020 · cited 67 times (Europe PMC)
  • Research article Various pathways of zoledronic acid against osteoclasts and bone cancer metastasis: a brief review [6]
    Wang L, Fang D, Xu J, Luo R · BMC Cancer · 2020 · cited 62 times (Europe PMC)
  • Research article Effects of bisphosphonates on osteoporosis: Focus on zoledronate [7]
    Oryan A, Sahvieh S · Life Sci · 2021 · cited 39 times (Europe PMC)
  • Research article Current concepts in the treatment of giant cell tumour of bone [8]
    van der Heijden L, Dijkstra S, van de Sande M, Gelderblom H · Curr Opin Oncol · 2020 · cited 37 times (Europe PMC)
  • Research article Combination and sequential treatment in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis [9]
    Anastasilakis AD, Polyzos SA, Yavropoulou MP, Makras P · Expert Opin Pharmacother · 2020 · cited 37 times (Europe PMC)
  • Research article Meta-analysis of clinical trials to assess denosumab over zoledronic acid in bone metastasis [10]
    Chen J, Zhou L, Liu X, Wen X, Li H, Li W · Int J Clin Pharm · 2021 · cited 35 times (Europe PMC)

References

  1. Ralston SH, Corral-Gudino L, Cooper C, Francis RM, Fraser WD, Gennari L, et al.. Diagnosis and Management of Paget's Disease of Bone in Adults: A Clinical Guideline. . 2019. PMID 30803025 · DOI · PMC6522384
  2. Anderton J, Moroz V, Marec-Bérard P, Gaspar N, Laurence V, Martín-Broto J, et al.. International randomised controlled trial for the treatment of newly diagnosed EWING sarcoma family of tumours - EURO EWING 2012 Protocol. . 2020. PMID 31952545 · DOI · PMC6969439
  3. Soutome S, Otsuru M, Hayashida S, Murata M, Yanamoto S, Sawada S, et al.. Relationship between tooth extraction and development of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in cancer patients. . 2021. PMID 34446755 · DOI · PMC8390686
  4. Zhang H, Shen X, Liu H, Yuan X, Cao M, Lv X, et al.. Rescuing Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Macrophages Prevents Osteonecrosis of the Jaw in Anti-Resorptive Therapy. . 2026. PMID 41354629 · DOI · PMC12931161
  5. Lu KH, Lu EW, Lin CW, Yang JS, Yang SF. New insights into molecular and cellular mechanisms of zoledronate in human osteosarcoma. Pharmacol Ther. 2020. PMID 32565177 · DOI
  6. Wang L, Fang D, Xu J, Luo R. Various pathways of zoledronic acid against osteoclasts and bone cancer metastasis: a brief review. BMC Cancer. 2020. PMID 33143662 · DOI · PMC7607850
  7. Oryan A, Sahvieh S. Effects of bisphosphonates on osteoporosis: Focus on zoledronate. Life Sci. 2021. PMID 33129881 · DOI
  8. van der Heijden L, Dijkstra S, van de Sande M, Gelderblom H. Current concepts in the treatment of giant cell tumour of bone. Curr Opin Oncol. 2020. PMID 32541321 · DOI
  9. Anastasilakis AD, Polyzos SA, Yavropoulou MP, Makras P. Combination and sequential treatment in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2020. PMID 31990595 · DOI
  10. Chen J, Zhou L, Liu X, Wen X, Li H, Li W. Meta-analysis of clinical trials to assess denosumab over zoledronic acid in bone metastasis. Int J Clin Pharm. 2021. PMID 32964403 · DOI

About this article

Sources
NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
Verification
Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
Review state
automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
Version
1, last updated 2026-10-31.

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At a glance

4,580
PubMed records on this heading
25%
published since 2020
567
review articles
489
randomized trials
10
verified references below

Counts come from PubMed on 2026-10-31; they show how much has been written, not how strong the evidence is.

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