Lung cancer drug 'could prevent metastases spreading'

Scientists have discovered a lung cancer drug could have a duel purpose in tackling the condition.

Dr Michela Quirino and colleagues from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome announced the laboratory news after investigating how zoledronic acid may be able to prevent the cancer from spreading.

Currently, the drug is used to help treat bone metastases but the study suggests it may also be useful in the initial stages of the disease.

Dr Quirino said: "If further studies should confirm a possible anti-metastatic effect of this drug ... it could be introduced in the early management of the disease, even as an adjuvant therapy."

The expert conducted a trial on 41 patients with advanced lung cancer and concluded that the evidence implies zoledronic acid may prevent the metastases from recruiting the blood vessels they need to survive.

Zoledronic acid is also used to treat high levels of calcium in the blood.