Monoclonal Antibody Compared With Zoledronate in Treating Women With Breast Cancer and Bone Metastases

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically or cytologically confirmed breast cancer
• Radiographical evidence of at least 1 bone metastasis
• * No prior radiotherapy or surgery to bone metastasis
• * No radiotherapy or surgery anticipated for bone metastasis within the next 24 weeks
• Bone pain severity score of at least 1 on 5 of 7 days as determined by question 3 of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI)
• No bone metastases to a weight-bearing bone at imminent risk for pathologic fracture or surgical intervention
• No vertebral metastases that place the patient at imminent risk of spinal cord compression
• Hormone receptor status:
• * Not specified
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age
• 18 and over
• Sex
• Female
• Menopausal status
• Pre- or post-menopausal
• Performance status
• ECOG 0-2
• Life expectancy
• At least 6 months
• Hematopoietic
• WBC at least 2,000/mm\^3
• Lymphocyte count at least 500/mm\^3
• Granulocyte count at least 1,000/mm\^3
• Platelet count at least 50,000/mm\^3
• Hepatic
• ALT or AST no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times ULN
• Renal
• Calcium no greater than 10.1 mg/dL
• No oliguria, defined as less than 30 mL urine per 2-hour collection
• No acute renal failure
• Creatinine no greater than 2.5 mg/dL
• Other
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective barrier contraception
• No sepsis
• No known or anticipated contraindication to study drugs
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy
• Not specified
• Chemotherapy
• More than 3 weeks since initiation of a new chemotherapy regimen
• Endocrine therapy
• More than 3 weeks since initiation of a new hormonal therapy regimen
• Radiotherapy
• See Disease Characteristics
• More than 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy
• Surgery
• See Disease Characteristics
• Other
• More than 60 days since prior bisphosphonates
• More than 30 days since prior investigational drugs
• No change in analgesic drug regimen during the screening period