Weekly dose of osteoporosis drug prevents bone loss after breast cancer treatment

	Tweet

Breast cancer survivors who took a weekly dose of risedronate, sold as Actonel, lost significantly less bone than those who did not take the drug, according to a two-year study from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine presented this week at the 29th annual meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. Scientific sessions continue through Wednesday at the Hawaii Convention Center.

Susan Greenspan, M.D., director of the Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment Center and Bone Health program at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and colleagues evaluated 87 women, mean age 50, enrolled in the Prevention of Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women with Breast Cancer Following Chemotherapy study.

All participants in the randomized, double-blind trial received calcium and vitamin D supplements. However, half took 35 milligrams of risedronate once a week while others took a placebo.

“Chemotherapy drugs and other medical treatments for breast cancer are known to induce menopause, which can kick-start bone loss, putting survivors at risk for osteoporotic fractures,” said Dr. Greenspan, an internationally respected osteoporosis researcher and professor of medicine at Pitt. “This study also looked at changes in spine and hip bone mineral density, as well as evidence of bone breakdown.”

Ninety-seven percent of study participants had normal or low bone mass at enrollment. At baseline, many were taking tamoxifen, a breast cancer drug aimed at estrogen-sensitive tumors that also is sometimes used as a preventive therapy by women at high risk for breast cancer.

While tamoxifen can have a positive impact on bone in postmenopausal women, a small percentage of women were taking aromatase inhibitors (also used for prevention), which can have a negative effect on bone. During the second year of the study, about half the women began taking aromatase inhibitors and stopped taking tamoxifen.

“After 24 months, women in the placebo group had significant bone loss in the spine and hip that we didn’t see in women taking risedronate,” noted Dr. Greenspan. “In fact, women taking risedronate had a bone density much higher in the spine and hip than women in the placebo group.” The researchers also observed that the greatest bone loss was found in women on aromatase inhibitors. Even so, risedronate continued to be successful in preventing bone loss.

“We conclude that once weekly doses of risedronate improves bone density and prevents excess bone loss in breast cancer survivors,” the researchers noted.

###

In addition to Dr. Greenspan, other authors are Karen T. Vujevich, M.S.N., Adam Brufsky, M.D., Barry C. Lembersky, M.D., Subashan Perera, Ph.D., and Victor Vogel, M.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; and Raj Bhattacharya, M.D., University of Kansas School of Medicine.

Contact: Michele Baum

412-647-3555
University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences

RELATED STORIES:
Yoga shown to help women with breast cancer   Biophysicist targeting IL-6 to halt breast, prostate cancer   Breast self-exams do not appear to reduce breast cancer deaths   New studies show negative effects from revised mammography recommendation for women, ages 40-49   Black women in Chicago more likely to die from breast cancer than white women   Women well informed about breast cancer, yet lacking knowledge about current treatments   Breast Cancer: How Often Should You Do a Self-exam   New ‘stealth’ drugs give hope in fight on cancer   Mammogram results often wrong, U.S. study finds   Gene test helps select breast cancer chemotherapy   MRI finds breast cancer before it becomes dangerous   Annual screening with breast ultrasound or MRI could benefit some women   Vitamin and Calcium Supplements May Reduce Breast Cancer Risk   High Dietary Fat, Cholesterol Linked to Increased Risk of Breast Cancer   Drinkers cut cancer risk with folate, study finds   Study identifies potential ‘safe period’ for hormone replacement use   Breast Cancer Rates Decline Most for Affluent White Women   Environmental pollutants and breast cancer   Black women often refuse breast cancer treatment   Painkiller can boost breast cancer survival rates   Screening Mammography in Elderly Patients Beneficial   Selective Marker Found to Indicate Aggressive Form of Breast Cancer

Comments

[ + Post Your Own ]

Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not Armenian Medical Network's stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

What many people don’t know is that medical hypnosis can be a very effective and safe alternative to drugs in preventing bone loss and osteoporosis in general.  You will also want to make sure that you choose your supplements very carefully, as some can do more harm than good. Robert Pendergrast, MD The contents of this comment are for informational purposes only and do not render medical or psychological advice, opinion, diagnosis, or treatment. The information provided through this comment should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a medical or psychological problem, you should consult your appropriate health care provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this comment.

posted by Osteoporosis on 12/10/2009 at 5:19 am -08:00