Bone turnover markers in postmenopausal breast cancer treated with fulvestrant--a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Tamoxifen has a protective effect on bone metabolism in breast cancer; aromatase inhibitors deleterious and that of fulvestrant is unknown.


METHODS
Fourteen locally advanced breast cancers with clinical benefit on fulvestrant (250 mg/month) as first-line primary endocrine therapy had sequential serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), N-terminal propeptide of procollagen type 1 (PINP) and C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) at 0, 1, 6, 12, and 18 months. Mean percentage changes (95% CI) were calculated.


RESULTS
Changes from baseline at 1, 6, 12, and 18 months with BAP (3.9-46.8 ng/ml) were +1.5 (-9.8 to +12.9), +2.2 (-22.1 to +26.6), +17.6 (-12.4 to +47.6), +10.8 (-29.9 to +51.7); with PINP (20.6-82.1 ng/ml) were +3.4 (-12.0 to 19.0), +18.8 (-36.7 to +74.2), +47.5 (-21.4 to 116.3), +33.3 (-49.5 to +116.1) and with CTX (0.14-1.35 ng/ml) were +30.8 (0.1 to +61.6), +13.9 (-22.3 to +50.2), +42.9 (-12.7 to +98.5), +45.2 (-28.3 to +118.8).


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term (18 months) stability of bone markers may be exploited by using fulvestrant earlier in sequence of endocrine therapies particularly in adjuvant setting in those with pre-existing decreased bone mass.
Agrawal
A
A
University of Nottingham, Professorial Unit of Surgery, City Hospital Campus, Nottingham University Hospitals, Hucknall Road, Nottingham NG5 1PB, UK.
Hannon
R A
RA
Cheung
K L
KL
Eastell
R
R
Robertson
J F R
JF
D000368:Aged; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects*; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000097:blood; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005260:Female; D000077267:Fulvestrant; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D024042:Collagen Type I; D010455:Peptides; C052929:collagen type I trimeric cross-linked peptide; D000077267:Fulvestrant; D004958:Estradiol; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase