Bone health issues in women with early-stage breast cancer receiving aromatase inhibitors.
Bone health is an important issue for women with all stages of breast cancer, but especially those with early-stage breast cancer receiving aromatase inhibitors (AIs). AIs have been shown to reduce bone mineral density and are associated with an increased incidence of fractures. Although AIs significantly improve survival times in early-stage breast cancer patients, many of these patients eventually develop metastatic bone disease. Therefore, identifying effective strategies for preventing bone metastases is needed. Results of preclinical studies with bisphosphonates show increased tumor cell kill in several breast cancer cell lines, but study results evaluating this class of drugs for prevention of bone metastases in women with early-stage breast cancer receiving adjuvant therapies have been inconsistent. However, several large studies to clarify the role of bisphosphonates in maintaining or improving bone health in these women are under way.
Brufsky
Adam M
AM
Magee-Womens Hospital of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Suite 4628, 300 Halket Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. brufskyam@upmc.edu
D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors
D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates