Patients with cancer-induced bone
disease, including primary bone
cancers such as osteosarcoma (OS) and metastases from other tissues
of origin, present a high unmet medical need. We present a potential
therapeutic approach built upon a proven bone-targeting bisphosphonate
conjugate platform with the known synergies of gemcitabine (GEM) and
docetaxel (DTX). The synthesis of rationally designed GEM–IB,
the conjugate of GEM-5′-phosphate with ibandronate (IB), is
presented. GEM–IB as a single agent or in combination with
DTX demonstrated reduced tumor burden, preservation of the bone architecture,
and improved the survival in a murine model of OS. This is the first
demonstration of a bone-targeting conjugate in combination with a
second drug to create effective drug ratios in the bone compartment.