Impact of BMI on serum estradiol and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women with hormone-sensitive early breast cancer treated with anastrozole

Clinical Guidance for Dosing and Monitoring Oral Antihormonal Drugs in Patients with Breast Cancer After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

ABSTRACT

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of cancers, such as breast cancer. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a common surgical intervention used to induce weight loss, reduce comorbidities, and improve overall survival. Due to alterations in the gastrointestinal tract, RYGB is associated with changes in oral drug disposition, which can affect treatment outcomes. Oral antihormonal agents were monitored in 9 patients who previously underwent RYGB. The results of therapeutic drug monitoring and estradiol concentrations were analyzed, and a review of the relevant literature was performed. As only 1 of the 6 patients prescribed tamoxifen achieved a therapeutic endoxifen concentration with the standard dose of 20 mg/d, a higher starting dose of 40 mg/d was recommended to increase the probability of attaining a therapeutic plasma concentration. All patients with decreased CYP2D6 metabolic activity could not achieve therapeutic plasma concentrations; therefore, CYP2D6 genotyping was recommended before the initiation of tamoxifen therapy to identify patients who should be switched to aromatase inhibitors. Anastrozole and letrozole exposure in patients who underwent RYGB patients appeared sufficient, with no dose adjustment required. However, until more data become available, monitoring aromatase inhibitor efficacy is recommended. Monitoring the drug concentrations is a viable option; however, only indicative data on therapeutic drug monitoring are available. Therefore, estradiol concentrations should be measured.

Association between obesity and risk of fracture, bone mineral density and bone quality in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The association between obesity and fracture risk may be skeletal site- and sex-specific but results among studies are inconsistent. Whilst several studies reported higher bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with obesity, altered bone quality could be a major determinant of bone fragility in this population.

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare, in men, premenopausal women and postmenopausal women with obesity vs. individuals without obesity: 1) the incidence of fractures overall and by site; 2) BMD; and 3) bone quality parameters (circulating bone turnover markers and bone microarchitecture and strength by advanced imaging techniques).

DATA SOURCES

PubMed (MEDLINE), EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched from inception of databases until the 13th of January 2021.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Each outcome was stratified by sex and menopausal status in women. The meta-analysis was performed using a random-effect model with inverse-variance method. The risks of hip and wrist fracture were reduced by 25% (n = 8: RR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.62, 0.91, P = 0.003, I2 = 95%) and 15% (n = 2 studies: RR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.81, 0.88), respectively, while ankle fracture risk was increased by 60% (n = 2 studies: RR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.52, 1.68) in postmenopausal women with obesity compared with those without obesity. In men with obesity, hip fracture risk was decreased by 41% (n = 5 studies: RR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.44, 0.79). Obesity was associated with increased BMD, better bone microarchitecture and strength, and generally lower or unchanged circulating bone resorption, formation and osteocyte markers. However, heterogeneity among studies was high for most outcomes, and overall quality of evidence was very low to low for all outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis highlights areas for future research including the need for site-specific fracture studies, especially in men and premenopausal women, and studies comparing bone microarchitecture between individuals with and without obesity.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020159189.

Circulating zearalenone and its metabolites differ in women due to body mass index and food intake

The environmental estrogen, zearalenone (ZEA), is found in the food supply from Fusarium fungal contamination in grains and sometimes used as a growth promoter for beef cattle. Long-term exposure to ZEA and its metabolites may present health risk due to higher estrogenic activity. Serum ZEA metabolites were measured to determine the exposure and the association with food intake in 48 overweight/obese women (52 ± 9 years). The free and conjugated ZEA indicated the highest detection rate of all the metabolites. Conjugated ZEA and total ZEA metabolites were lower (p = 0.02) in overweight/obese than normal weight women, and free metabolites were either the same or showed a trend to be higher. In addition, those with highest (280-480 g/d) compared those with lowest (<115 g/d) meat consumption had higher conjugated serum ZEA metabolite concentrations (p < 0.05). Intakes of other food groups (i.e., dairy, cereal, etc.) were not associated with ZEA metabolites. These findings indicate that ZEA and its metabolites are detectable in nearly all women and concentrations are associated with greater meat intake, and influenced by body mass index. Determining how the food supply influences human concentrations of ZEA metabolites is warranted, as well as determining vulnerable populations.

Postmenopausal Breast Cancer, Aromatase Inhibitors, and Bone Health: What the Surgeon Should Know

Breast cancer, as the most common malignancy in women, remains a major public health issue despite countless advances across decades. Endocrine therapy is the cornerstone of treatment of the hormone-sensitive subtype of breast cancer. The use of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) in the postmenopausal women has extended the survival beyond that of Tamoxifen, but harbors a subset of side effects, most notably accelerated bone loss. This, however, does not occur in all women undergoing treatment. It is vital to identify susceptible patients early, to limit such events, employ early treatment thereof, or alter drug therapy. International trials on AIs, predominantly performed in North American and European females, provide little information on what to expect in women in developing countries. Here, surgeons often prescribe and manage endocrine therapy. The prescribing surgeon should be aware of the adverse effect of the endocrine therapy and be able to attend to side effects. This review highlights clinical and biochemical factors associated with decrease in bone mineral density in an, as yet, unidentified subgroup of postmenopausal women. In the era of personalized medical care, appropriate management of bone health by surgeons based on these factors becomes increasingly important.

Management of Aromatase Inhibitor-Associated Bone Loss (AIBL) in postmenopausal women with hormone sensitive breast cancer: Joint position statement of the IOF, CABS, ECTS, IEG, ESCEO IMS, and SIOG

BACKGROUND

Several guidelines have been reported for bone-directed treatment in women with early breast cancer (EBC) for averting fractures, particularly during aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy. Recently, a number of studies on additional fracture related risk factors, new treatment options as well as real world studies demonstrating a much higher fracture rate than suggested by randomized clinical controlled trials (RCTs). Therefore, this updated algorithm was developed to better assess fracture risk and direct treatment as a position statement of several interdisciplinary cancer and bone societies involved in the management of AI-associated bone loss (AIBL).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A systematic literature review identified recent advances in the management of AIBL. Results with individual agents were assessed based on trial design, size, follow-up, and safety.

RESULTS

Several fracture related risk factors in patients with EBC were identified. Although, the FRAX algorithm includes fracture risk factors (RF) in addition to BMD, it does not seem to adequately address the effects of AIBL. Several antiresorptive agents can prevent and treat AIBL. However, concerns regarding compliance and long-term safety remain. Overall, the evidence for fracture prevention is strongest for denosumab 60 mg s.c. every 6 months. Additionally, recent studies as well as an individual patient data meta-analysis of all available randomized trial data support additional anticancer benefits from adjuvant bisphosphonate treatment in postmenopausal women with a 34% relative risk reduction in bone metastasis and 17% relative risk decrease in breast cancer mortality that needs to be taken into account when advising on management of AIBL.

CONCLUSIONS

In all patients initiating AI treatment, fracture risk should be assessed and recommendation with regard to exercise and calcium/vitamin D supplementation given. Bone-directed therapy should be given to all patients with a T-score<-2.0 or with a T-score of <-1.5 SD with one additional RF, or with ≥2 risk factors (without BMD) for the duration of AI treatment. Patients with T-score>-1.5 SD and no risk factors should be managed based on BMD loss during the first year and the local guidelines for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Compliance should be regularly assessed as well as BMD on treatment after 12 - 24 months. Furthermore, because of the decreased incidence of bone recurrence and breast cancer specific mortality, adjuvant bisphosphonates are recommended for all postmenopausal women at significant risk of disease recurrence.

Can we use gonadotropin plasma concentration as surrogate marker for BMI-related incomplete estrogen suppression in breast cancer patients receiving anastrozole?

BACKGROUND

BMI has been suggested to impact on estrogenic activity in patients receiving anastrozole resulting in a reduced treatment efficacy in obese women. Current evidence in this regard is controversially discussed. Since estradiol is inversely correlated with gonadotropins it can be assumed that an impact of BMI is also reflected by gonadotropin plasma concentrations. We aim at investigating the impact of BMI on the hormonal state of breast cancer (BC) patients receiving anastrozole indicated by LH, FSH and SHBG as well as estradiol.

METHODS

We determined gonadotropin-, estradiol- and anastrozole- serum concentrations from postmenopausal, early stage breast cancer patients receiving upfront anastrozole within routine after care. Gonadotropin plasma concentrations were derived from the routine laboratory examination report. A liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method was used for the measurement of anastrozole serum concentrations. BMI was assessed within the routine after-care check-up.

RESULTS

The overall sample comprised 135 BC patients with a mean age of 65.3 years. BMI was significantly correlated with LH, FSH and SHBG. This association was neither influenced by age nor by anastrozole serum concentrations according to the regression model. Despite aromatase inhibition 12% of patients had detectable estrogen levels in routine quantification.

CONCLUSION

Obese women have an altered hormonal situation compared to normally weight women under the same dose of anastrozole. Our study findings are a further indicator for the relevance of BMI in regard of anastrozole metabolism and possible estrogenic activity indicated by gonadotropin plasma level.

Obesity and Breast Cancer Prognosis: Evidence, Challenges, and Opportunities

Purpose To summarize the evidence of an association between obesity and breast cancer prognosis. Methods We reviewed the literature regarding overweight and obesity and breast cancer survival outcomes, overall and with regard to breast cancer subtypes, breast cancer therapies, biologic mechanisms, and possible interventions. We summarize our findings and provide clinical management recommendations. Results Obesity is associated with a 35% to 40% increased risk of breast cancer recurrence and death and therefore poorer survival outcomes. This is most clearly established for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, with the relationship in triple-negative and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive subtypes less well established. A range of biologic mechanisms that may underlie this association has been identified. Weight loss and lifestyle interventions, as well as metformin and other obesity-targeted therapies, are promising avenues that require further study. Conclusion Obesity is associated with inferior survival in breast cancer. Understanding the nature and mechanisms of this effect provides an important opportunity for interventions to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of obese patients with breast cancer.

Body mass index and aromatase inhibitors: a step forward in individualizing therapy for breast cancer patients?

INTRODUCTION

Progress made in breast cancer management along with treatment-related symptoms has drawn a lot of attention from both scientists and clinicians. Establishing predictive factors for treatment response facilitate tailoring of therapy to each individual patient and leads to a reduction in unnecessary treatments. Body mass index is confirmed to be a risk factor for breast cancer development as well as for disease recurrence, which additionally negatively influence the overall survival. Due to the increased level of fatty tissue in obese and overweight patients, their total level of body aromatase is elevated. This lead to the hypothesis about a worse response to aromatase inhibitors in these groups as compared to normal weight patients, due to incomplete aromatase blockage and thus higher peripheral androgen aromatization.

AREAS COVERED

This review aims to summarize the data from clinical trials assessing the effect of BMI on response to AI-based therapy in the setting of breast cancer. Expert commentary: Our conclusion made on the data available to date does not exclude BMI from the list of potential predictive factors however further research in this area is warranted.

RANKL and OPG Polymorphisms Are Associated with Aromatase Inhibitor-Related Musculoskeletal Adverse Events in Chinese Han Breast Cancer Patients

Background

Breast cancer patients treated with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) may experience musculoskeletal adverse events (MS-AEs). Several studies have confirmed that the RANKL/RANK/OPG signaling pathway plays a dominant role in bone health. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the relationship between the serum levels of RANKL, OPG and their SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) with AI-related MS-AEs.

Methodology and Principal Findings

Patients with early stage, hormone-sensitive breast cancer who were receiving AI therapy were enrolled. We included 208 cases with AI-related MS-AEs and 212 without (controls). The levels of estradiol, bone-turnover markers, multiple inflammatory cytokines, RANKL,OPG and lumbar spine BMD were measured, and questionnaires were completed. We analyzed 29 SNPs of RANKL, RANK and OPG using Sequenom MassARRAY assays and PCR-based TaqMan assays. The levels of bone-turnover markers and RANKL and the ratio of RANKL/OPG were higher in patients with AI-related MS-AEs than controls (all p < 0.05). A genetic assay showed that the RANKL SNP rs7984870 and OPG SNP rs2073618 were associated with AI-related MS-AEs. In patients with AI-related MS-AEs, rs7984870 CC and rs2073618 CC were risk genotypes. Carriers of the rs7984870 CC genotype were more likely to have a higher RANKL level and RANKL/OPG ratio than carriers of the GG genotype, and carriers of the rs2073618 CC genotype were more likely to have a lower OPG level and a higher RANKL/OPG ratio than carriers of the GG genotype (all p < 0.05). Moreover, risk genotypes were associated with higher levels of serum CTX and PINP and a lower lumbar spine BMD (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions and Significance

In conclusion, the RANKL and OPG risk genotypes synergize to negatively impact bone health and predispose breast cancer patients to AI-related MS-AEs.

Effect of anastrozole on hormone levels in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of anastrozole on serum hormone levels in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

METHODS

We prospectively determined serum levels of estradiol, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) at screening, as well as after 12 and 24 months of treatment and studied the associations with markers of bone turnover and bone mineral density (BMD).

RESULTS

Altogether, a full set of hormone levels was available for 70 patients. Anastrozole treatment led to decreases of 92.1% for estradiol and 11.1% for LH over the observation period (p < 0.001). Conversely, FSH, DHEAS and testosterone concentrations increased by 5.9%, 33.3% and 50%, respectively (p < 0.001). SHBG levels remained stable during the 24 months of treatment (p = 0.355). There were modest associations between FSH, SHBG, CrossLaps and N-terminal propeptide of human procollagen type I (p < 0.05). Moreover, SHBG correlated positively with the BMD of femoral neck, total hip, total hip T-score, lumbar spine and the lumbar spine T-score, whereas FSH and estradiol correlated with the lumbar spine T-score (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

During the 24 months of follow-up, treatment with anastrozole decreased the serum levels of estradiol and LH. Furthermore, we found notable increases of serum levels of FSH, DHEAS and testosterone in the first 12 months of treatment, stabilizing thereafter. Additionally, we were able to correlate hormone levels with markers of bone turnover and BMD for the first time in this regard.