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Cancer treatment-induced bone loss in premenopausal women: a need for therapeutic intervention?

Cancer treatment reviews
October 1, 2012
P Hadji et al. (9 authors)
Journal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the role of calcium supplementation in preventing or mitigating bone loss in premenopausal women undergoing breast cancer therapy.

Results Summary

The study found that calcium and vitamin D supplementation, alongside bisphosphonates when indicated, can help manage bone loss in premenopausal women with breast cancer, particularly those experiencing amenorrhea or significant bone mineral density decline.

Population

Premenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, or ovarian suppression.

Effective Dosage

Daily calcium supplementation (specific dosage not mentioned).

Duration

Not specified.

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (10)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
cytotoxic chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, or both (with targeted therapy if indicated)
increase
premature menopause
premenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer
-
can induce
#1
cytotoxic chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, or both (with targeted therapy if indicated)
decrease
ovarian function
premenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer
-
are specifically designed to suppress
#2
cytotoxic chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, or both (with targeted therapy if indicated)
decrease
circulating estrogen levels
premenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer
-
are specifically designed to reduce
#3
low estrogen levels
increase
bone loss
-
-
associated with
#4
cytotoxic chemotherapy
decrease
bone metabolism
-
-
may have a direct negative effect on
#5
cancer treatment
increase
bone loss
premenopausal women with breast cancer
-
induces
#6
antiresorptive therapies, such as bisphosphonates
decrease
bone loss
premenopausal women with breast cancer
-
have demonstrated the ability to slow or prevent
#7
current fracture risk assessment tools
no change
the risks associated with breast cancer therapy
younger premenopausal women
-
do not adequately address
#8
regular exercise and daily calcium and vitamin D supplementation
increase
bone health
premenopausal women with breast cancer
-
are recommended
#9
bisphosphonate therapy in addition to calcium and vitamin D supplements
increase
bone health
women with a Z-score <-2.0 or Z-score ≤-1.0 and/or a 5-10% annual decrease in bone mineral density
-
should be considered for
#10
Abstract

Current clinical treatment guidelines recommend cytotoxic chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, or both (with targeted therapy if indicated) for premenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer, depending on the biologic characteristics of the primary tumor. Some of these therapies can induce premature menopause or are specifically designed to suppress ovarian function and reduce circulating estrogen levels. In addition to bone loss associated with low estrogen levels, cytotoxic chemotherapy may have a direct negative effect on bone metabolism. As a result, cancer treatment-induced bone loss poses a significant threat to bone health in premenopausal women with breast cancer. Clinical trials of antiresorptive therapies, such as bisphosphonates, have demonstrated the ability to slow or prevent bone loss in this setting. Current fracture risk assessment tools are based on data from healthy postmenopausal women and do not adequately address the risks associated with breast cancer therapy, especially in younger premenopausal women. We therefore recommend that all premenopausal women with breast cancer be informed about the potential risk of bone loss prior to beginning anticancer therapy. Women who experience amenorrhea should have bone mineral density assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and receive regular follow-up to monitor bone health. Regular exercise and daily calcium and vitamin D supplementation are recommended. Women with a Z-score <-2.0 or Z-score ≤-1.0 and/or a 5-10% annual decrease in bone mineral density should be considered for bisphosphonate therapy in addition to calcium and vitamin D supplements.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AmenorrheaAntineoplastic AgentsBone Density Conservation AgentsClinical Trials as TopicFemaleFractures, BoneHumansIncidenceNeoplasmsOsteoporosisPremenopauseRisk Assessment
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality85/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations69
Citations/Year5.3
Relative Citation Ratio2.11
NIH Percentile76.1%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score1.62
Normalized Score0.67
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