Could a common osteoporosis drug stop bone tumors from coming back?

NCT ID NCT03295981

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: St. Louis University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This phase 3 trial tests whether adding zoledronic acid (a bisphosphonate) to bone cement during surgery can lower the chance of a giant cell tumor of bone returning. About 120 people with primary tumors in their arms or legs will be randomly assigned to receive either standard surgery or surgery with the drug. The main goal is to see if the drug reduces local recurrence rates.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: zoledronic acid (bisphosphonate) added to bone cement
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a simple way to lower the chance of a giant cell tumor coming back after surgery, reducing the need for repeat operations.
What could go wrong: This is a relatively small trial (120 people) and results may not apply to all patients. There is also a risk of surgical site infection or other complications from the added drug.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

bone giant cell tumor

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

GIANT CELL TUMOR OF BONE

Contacts and locations

Locations

All India Institute of Medical Science
RECRUITING

New Delhi, 110029, India
Allegheny-Singer Research Institute
RECRUITING

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15212, United States
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
RECRUITING

Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
Boston Children's Hospital
RECRUITING

Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
Cleveland Clinic
RECRUITING

Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States
Indiana University
RECRUITING

Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202, United States
Johns Hopkins University Hospital
RECRUITING

Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States
Massachusetts General Hospital
RECRUITING

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
McGill University Health Centre
COMPLETED

Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1A4, Canada
Saint Louis University
RECRUITING

St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States
University of California - Los Angeles
RECRUITING

Los Angeles, California, 90404, United States
University of Iowa
RECRUITING

Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States
University of Kansas
COMPLETED

Overland Park, Kansas, 66211, United States
University of Oklahoma
RECRUITING

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, United States
University of Washington
COMPLETED

Seattle, Washington, 98195, United States
Wake Forest University
COMPLETED

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157, United States

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