Zoledronic Acid in Aromatase Inhibitor Induced Musculoskeletal Symptoms

Inclusion Criteria

Patients with histologically proven DCIS or stage I-III invasive carcinoma of the breast that is estrogen and/or progesterone receptor positive by immunohistochemical staining who are considering aromatase inhibitor therapy; women may receive the AI on this study as initial adjuvant hormonal treatment or following tamoxifen; patients must have completed any adjuvant chemotherapy; patients may have received preoperative chemotherapy
Postmenopausal status, defined as: >= 60 years of age; or < 60 years of age and amenorrheic for >= 12 months prior to day 1 if intact uterus/ovaries; or < 60 years of age, and the last menstrual period 6-12 months prior to day 1, if intact uterus/ovaries and meets biochemical criteria for menopause (FSH and estradiol within institutional standards for postmenopausal status); or < 60 years of age, without a uterus, and meets biochemical criteria for menopause (FSH and estradiol within institutional standards for postmenopausal status); or < 60 years of age and history of bilateral oophorectomy; or prior radiation castration with amenorrhea for at least 6 months; < 60 years of age and taking medication designed to suppress ovarian function and meets biochemical criteria for menopause (estradiol levels within institutional standards for postmenopausal status; women would have had to be taking the drug for at least 30 days prior to day 1)
ECOG performance status 0-2
Patient is aware of the nature of her diagnosis, understands the study regimen, its requirements, risks, and discomforts, and is able and willing to sign an informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria

Concurrent use of hormone replacement therapy
Concurrent use of tamoxifen; patients taking tamoxifen must discontinue the drug prior to first dose of zoledronic acid
Concurrent use of other selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) such as raloxifene
Concurrent consumption of soy supplements; routine dietary consumption of soy containing foods will be permitted
Prior use of an aromatase inhibitor in any setting
Current bisphosphonate use (oral or intravenous); prior bisphosphonate users would be eligible as long as the use was > 1 month ago for oral bisphosphonates and/or > 12 months ago for intravenous bisphosphonates, prior to starting study treatment
Moderate to severe renal impairment (serum creatinine greater than 2 mg/dL or creatinine clearance less than 50 mL/min)
Hypersensitivity to letrozole or zoledronic acid or any of its excipients
Concomitant treatment with oral or intravenous corticosteroids
Current active dental problems including infection or the teeth or jawbone (maxilla or mandibular); dental or fixture trauma, or a current or prior diagnosis of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), of exposed bone in the mouth, or of slow healing after dental procedures
Recent (within 6 weeks) or planned dental or jaw surgery (e.g. extraction, implants)