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Zoledronic acid (ZA) is one of the most important and effective class of anti-resorptive drug available among bisphosphonate (BP), which could effectively reduce the risk of skeletal-related events, and lead to a treatment paradigm for patients with skeletal involvement from advanced cancers. However, the exact molecular mechanisms of its anticancer effects have only recently been identified. In this review, we elaborate the detail mechanisms of ZA through inhibiting osteoclasts and cancer cells, which include the inhibition of differentiation of osteoclasts via suppressing receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)/receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (RANK) pathway, non-canonical Wnt/Ca2+/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) pathway, and preventing of macrophage differentiation into osteoclasts, in addition, induction of apoptosis of osteoclasts through inhibiting farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS)-mediated mevalonate pathway, and activation of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced pathway. Furthermore, ZA also inhibits cancer cells proliferation, viability, motility, invasion and angiogenesis; induces cancer cell apoptosis; reverts chemoresistance and stimulates immune response; and acts in synergy with other anti-cancer drugs. In addition, some new ways for delivering ZA against cancer is introduced. We hope this review will provide more information in support of future studies of ZA in the treatment of cancers and bone cancer metastasis.

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Objective:The present study aimed to evaluate left ventricular (LV) systolic function in patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) by 3-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (3DSTE).Methods:Participants were grouped by hemoglobin (Hb) levels in order to study the effect of anemia on cardiac function. Group A included 40 healthy volunteers. Eighty-three patients who were diagnosed with IDA were divided into 2 groups according to the Hb level. Group B (Hb 9 g/dL) included 44 patients, while group C (Hb 6–9 g/dL) included 39 patients. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were calculated by real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography (RT3D). Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS), global area strain (GAS), global radial strain (GRS), and global circumferential strain (GCS) were obtained by 3DSTE.Results:LVMI, LVEDV and LVESV of group C increased and GCS, GRS, GLS, and GAS of group C decreased compared with those of groups A and B (all p<0.05). GAS and GLS decreased significantly compared with other parameters (both p<0.01).Conclusion:LV remodeling and LV systolic dysfunction occurred in patients when the hemoglobin level was in the range of 6–9 g/dL. 3DSTE can evaluate LV systolic function in patients with IDA, and GAS and GLS are more sensitive than other parameters.

BackgroundIron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is a global health problem and a common medical condition that can be seen in everyday clinical practice. And two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) has been reported very useful in evaluating left atrial (LA) function, as well as left ventricular (LV) function. The aim of our study is to evaluate the LA function in patients with IDA by 2D-STE.Methods65 patients with IDA were selected. This group of patients was then divided into two groups according to the degree of hemoglobin: group B (Hb > 90 g/L) and group C (Hb60 ~ 90 g/L). Another 30 healthy people were also selected as control group A. Conventional echocardiography parameters, such as left atrial diameter (LAD), peak E and A of mitralis (E, A), E/A, end-diastolic thickness of ventricular septum (IVST d), end-diastolic thickness of LV posterior wall (PWTd) and left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVDd) were obtained from these three groups. Left atrial minimum volume (LAVmin), left atrial pre-atrial contraction volume (LAVp) and left atrial maximum volume (LAVmax) were measured by Simpson’s rule, whereas left atrial active ejection fraction (LAAEF) and left atrial passive ejection fraction (LAPEF) were obtained from calculation. Two-dimensional images were acquired from apical four-chamber view and two-chamber view to store images for offline analysis. The global peak atrial longitudinal strain and strain rate of systolic LV (GLSs, GLSRs) as well as early and late diastolic LV strain rate (GLSRe, GLSRa) curves of LA were acquired in each LA segment from basal segment to top segment of LA by 2D-STE.ResultsCompared with group A, there were no differences between group B and group A (all P > 0.05). The LAAEF and GLSRa were significantly higher in group C compared with those of group A and group B (all P < 0.01). The LAPEF, GLSs, GLSRs and GLSRe were significantly lower in group C compared with those of group A and group B (all P < 0.01).Conclusions2D-STE could evaluate the LA function in patients with IDA.