Zolendronate for the Prevention of Bone Loss in Men w/ Prostate CA on Long-Term Androgen Deprivation

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically confirmed prostate cancer

Stage III or IV disease

Received at least 3 months of prior androgen deprivation therapy (no maximum amount/time) by either surgical or medical castration

Medical castration may be by intermittent or continuous androgen suppression via single- or combined-drug androgen blockade
Continued concurrent androgen deprivation therapy required throughout study participation
No bone metastases by baseline bone scan

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

18 and over

Performance status

ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy

At least 1 year

Hematopoietic

Not specified

Hepatic

Bilirubin less than 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
AST and ALT less than 3 times ULN
No chronic liver disease

Renal

Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL

Other

Fertile patients must use effective contraception
No Paget's disease
No Cushing's disease
No hyperthyroidism
No hyperprolactinemia

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

Not specified

Chemotherapy

Prior chemotherapy for prostate cancer allowed

Endocrine therapy

See Disease Characteristics
More than 12 months since prior suppressive doses of thyroxine or calcitonin
More than 6 months since prior corticosteroids
Concurrent corticosteroids allowed (after enrollment on study)

Radiotherapy

Prior radiotherapy for prostate cancer allowed

Surgery

See Disease Characteristics

Other

More than 12 months since prior bisphosphonate therapy (oral or IV)