Bone density and structure in healthy postmenopausal women treated with exemestane for the primary prevention of breast cancer: a nested substudy of the MAP.3 randomised controlled trial

Aromatase inhibitors, bone microstructure, and estimated bone strength in postmenopausal women with breast cancer: a 5-year prospective study

INTRODUCTION

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are the standard treatment for early breast cancer (EBC) and are typical causative agents of cancer treatment-induced bone loss. However, the effects of long-term treatment with these drugs on bone microstructure remain unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective, single-arm observational study included postmenopausal, non-osteoporotic women with hormone receptor-positive EBC. Patients who underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b (TRACP-5b) or procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide levels were compared at baseline and at 60 months after commencing AI treatment.

RESULTS

Fifteen women were included in the study, with a median age of 58 years and a quartile range of 56.5-62.5 years. At 60 months, HR-pQCT revealed that the cortical area and thickness decreased with increased cortical porosity in the cortical bone. In addition, the number of trabeculae decreased and trabecular separation increased trabecular bones decreases, and trabecular bone separation opens, resulting in a decrease in the trabecular bone volume fraction. Total bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular volumetric BMD, and cortical volumetric BMD, and estimated bone strength significantly decreased. DXA BMD values significantly decreased in the total hip and femoral neck but not the lumbar spine. TRACP-5b values after 5 years of AI treatment showed a significant negative correlation with the rate of change in the total volumetric BMD in the distal tibia.

CONCLUSION

Postmenopausal women who received AIs for 5 years for EBC experienced significant deterioration in the bone microstructure, BMD, and estimated bone strength.

Steroidogenic cytochrome P450 enzymes as drug target

Human cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are composed of 57 individual enzymes that perform monooxygenase activities. They have diverse physiological roles in metabolizing xenobiotics and producing important endogenous compounds, such as steroid hormones and vitamins. At least seven CYP enzymes are involved in steroid biosynthesis. Steroidogenesis primarily occurs in the adrenal glands and gonads, connecting each reaction to substrates and products. Steroids are essential for maintaining life and significantly contribute to sexual differentiation and reproductive functions within the body. Disorders in steroid biosynthesis can frequently cause serious health problems and lead to the development of diseases, such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, and Cushing's syndrome. In this review, we provide current updated knowledge on the major CYP enzymes involved in the biosynthetic process of steroids, with respect to their enzymatic mechanisms and clinical implications for the development of new drug candidates.

Targeting nuclear hormone receptors for the prevention of breast cancer

Advancements in research have led to the steady decline of breast cancer mortality over the past thirty years. However, breast cancer incidence has continued to rise, resulting in an undue burden on healthcare costs and highlighting a great need for more effective breast cancer prevention strategies, including targeted chemo preventative agents. Efforts to understand the etiology of breast cancer have uncovered important roles for nuclear receptors in the development and progression of breast cancer. Targeted therapies to inhibit estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) signaling (selective ER modulators, aromatase inhibitors and selective PR modulators) have shown great promise for the treatment and prevention of hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer. However, these drugs do not prevent HR-negative disease. Therefore, recent efforts have focused on novel targeted therapies with the potential to prevent both HR-positive and HR-negative breast cancer. Among these include drugs that target other nuclear receptors, such as retinoic acid receptor (RAR), retinoid X receptor (RXR) and vitamin D receptor (VDR). In this review we provide an overview of recent preclinical and clinical trials targeting members of the nuclear receptor superfamily for the prevention of breast cancer.

Protective effect of bisphosphonate on the cortical bone at key locations of the femur in aromatase inhibitor-associated bone loss: A three-dimensional cortical bone mapping study

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Aromatase inhibitor use was associated with cortical bone loss in the hip.

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Bisphosphonate protected hip cortical bone against aromatase inhibitor use.

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The effect was prominent at the superior femoral neck and greater trochanter.

Aromatase inhibitor treatment in breast cancer is associated with accelerated bone loss and an increased risk of fracture. Bisphosphonates (BPs) are the mainstay treatment of aromatase inhibitor-associated bone loss (AIBL), which might improve femoral bone at key locations prone to fracture. To test this hypothesis, we performed three-dimensional cortical bone mapping based on quantitative computed tomography (QCT) scans in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer who were receiving aromatase inhibitors. Data of subjects who had both baseline and at least one follow-up QCT at Severance Hospital (South Korea) between 2005 and 2015 were analyzed (BP users, n = 93; BP non-users, n = 203). After exclusion of BP users with low medication persistence (proportion of days covered: <50%), BP users and non-users were 1:1 matched (n = 54 for each group) in terms of age, lumbar spine volumetric bone mineral density (LSvBMD), femoral neck areal BMD (FNaBMD), and total hip areal BMD (THaBMD). During a median follow-up of 2.1 years, BP use attenuated bone loss in LSvBMD (+7.2% vs. −3.8%, p < 0.001), FNaBMD (+1.3% vs. −2.7%, p < 0.001), and THaBMD (-0.3% vs. −2.5%, p = 0.024). BP had a protective effect on cortical parameters of femoral bone: estimated cortical thickness (CTh) (+3.3% vs. + 0.1%, p = 0.007) and cortical mass surface density (CMSD, cortical mass per unit surface area was calculated by multiplying cortical BMD with CTh) (+3.4% vs. −0.3%, p < 0.001). CMSD increased by up to 15% at key locations such as the superior part of the femoral neck and greater trochanter. BP prevented the thinning of average CTh of the femoral neck (-1.4% vs. −6.1%, p < 0.001), particularly at the superior anterior quadrant of femoral neck (absolute difference: +12.8% point vs. non-users). Compared to BP non-users, BP users had improved cross-sectional moment of inertia (+4.4% vs. −0.7%, p = 0.001) and less increase in buckling ratio (+1.3% vs. + 7.5%, p < 0.001). In summary, BP use prevented cortical bone deficits observed in AIBL at key locations of the proximal femur.

Adherence to bone health guidelines in patients with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer: Status and clinical impact in a Swiss cohort experience

Aim

In patients with postmenopausal hormone receptor-positive breast cancer (ER + eBC), aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are widely used for effective relapse prevention. However, AIs reduce bone density and increase bone-related events (BREs). Alongside calcium and vitamin D3 supplementation, bisphosphonates and denosumab are well-known options for improving outcomes in bone health and breast cancer prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the practice patterns of bone health guideline-based management in real-world patients with ER + eBC.

Material and methods

In total, 68 patients with ER + eBC treated between 2009 and 2014 at the University Hospital Basel were included in this retrospective cohort study. Chart reviews were analyzed. Baseline, clinicopathological, treatment, and BRE data were extracted. Each patient was specifically reviewed for therapy adherence to the Swiss bone health guidelines (Swiss Association against Osteoporosis 2010 [SVGO]).

Results

The mean patient age was 66.5 (range, 56–74) years, all post-menopausal. The most frequent tumor characteristics were tumor size of pT1–pT2 (N = 53, 77.9%) and treatment with letrozole (N = 35, 51.5%), followed by tamoxifen as a switch strategy (N = 27, 40.3%). The median treatment time with AIs was 47 (range, 30–60) months. Five patients (7.8%) experienced a fracture during or after AI treatment. Moreover, 51 (75%) patients were treated according to the SVGO recommendations.

Conclusion

The fracture rate in our retrospective cohort was comparable to that in the larger phase III randomized trials. The adherence to bone health guidelines was satisfactory but still suboptimal. Clinicians should strictly adhere to the current bone health guidelines to ensure the best possible prevention of BREs and maintain bone health and cancer prognosis in patients with ER + eBC.

Use of aromatase inhibitors in patients with breast cancer is associated with deterioration of bone microarchitecture and density

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate changes in bone density and architecture in postmenopausal women with breast cancer (BC) and use of aromatase inhibitor (AI).

METHODS

Thirty-four postmenopausal women with BC, without bone metastasis, renal function impairment and who were not receiving bone-active drugs were selected from a population of 523 outpatients treated for BC. According to the presence of hormonal receptors, HER2 and Ki67, seventeen had positive hormonal receptors and received anastrozole (AI group), and seventeen were triple-negative receptors (non-AI group), previously treated with chemotherapy. Areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) analyses were performed by DXA; vBMD and bone microarchitecture were evaluated by HR-pQCT. Fracture risk was estimated using the FRAX tool.

RESULTS

No patient referred previous low-impact fracture, and VFA detected one moderate vertebral fracture in a non-AI patient. AI patients showed lower aBMD and BMD T-scores at the hip and 33% radius and a higher proportion of osteoporosis diagnosis on DXA (47%) vs non-AI (17.6%). AI group had significantly lower values for vBMD at the entire, cortical and trabecular bone compartments, cortical and trabecular thickness and BV/TV. They also had a higher risk for major fractures and for hip fractures estimated by FRAX. Several HR-pQCT parameters evaluated at distal radius and distal tibia were significantly associated with fracture risk.

CONCLUSION

AI is associated with alterations in bone density and microarchitecture of both the cortical and trabecular compartments. These findings explain the overall increase in fracture risk in this specific population.

Adjuvant endocrine therapy effects on bone mineral density and microstructure in women with breast cancer

INTRODUCTION

Although aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are typical drugs for cancer treatment-induced bone loss, their effects on the bone microstructure remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated changes in the bone mineral density (BMD) and bone microstructure associated with AI treatment using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) in patients with early breast cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective, single-arm, observational study included non-osteoporotic, postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Patients underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), HR-pQCT, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b (TRACP-5b) or procollagen type-I N-terminal propeptide measurements at baseline and 6 and 12 months after AI therapy. The primary endpoint was changes in the total volumetric BMD (Tt.vBMD), trabecular vBMD (Tb.vBMD), and cortical vBMD (Ct.vBMD) longitudinally at the distal radius and tibia.

RESULTS

Twenty women were included (median age 57.5 years; range 55-72 years). At 12 months, HR-pQCT indicated a significant decrease in the Tt.vBMD (median distal radius - 5.3%, p < 0.01; distal tibia - 3.2%, p < 0.01), Tb.vBMD (- 3.2%, p < 0.01; - 1.0%, p < 0.05, respectively), and Ct.vBMD (- 3.2%, p < 0.01; - 2.7%, p < 0.01, respectively). Estimated bone strength was also significantly decreased. The DXA BMD value in the total hip (p < 0.01) and femoral neck (p = 0.03), but not in the lumbar spine, was significantly decreased. The TRACP-5b levels was significantly negatively associated with changes in the Tt.vBMD in both the distal radius and tibia (r =  - 0.53, r =  - 0.47, respectively) CONCLUSION: Postmenopausal women who received AIs for early breast cancer experienced significant trabecular and cortical bone deterioration and a decrease in estimated bone strength within only 1 year.

Off-treatment bone mineral density changes in postmenopausal women receiving anastrozole for 5 years: 7-year results from the IBIS-II prevention trial

BACKGROUND

Anastrozole has been associated with substantial accelerated bone mineral density (BMD) loss during active treatment.

METHODS

One thousand four hundred and ten women were included in a BMD substudy and stratified into three strata according to their baseline T-score at spine or femoral neck. The primary objective of this analysis was to investigate whether DXA BMD at the spine and hip changed two years after treatment cessation (between years 5 and 7) in those who did not receive risedronate.

RESULTS

Five- and seven-year BMD data were available for a total of 528 women who did not receive risedronate. In women with normal BMD at baseline, an increase in BMD at the lumbar spine after anastrozole withdrawal was observed 1.25% (95% CI 0.73 to 1.77) (P = 0.0004), which was larger than in those on placebo (0.14% (-0.29 to 0.56))). At the hip, BMD remained unchanged between years 5 and 7 for those previously on anastrozole but continued to a decrease in those who had been randomised to placebo (-1.35% (-1.70 to -0.98)).

CONCLUSIONS

These are the first results reporting BMD changes after stopping anastrozole in a breast cancer prevention setting. Our results show that the negative effects of anastrozole on BMD in the preventive setting are partially reversible.

Incorporating Nutrition, Vests, Education, and Strength Training (INVEST) in Bone Health: Trial Design and Methods

BACKGROUND

Achievement of 5-10% weight loss (WL) among older adults living with obesity considerably improves prognosis of health-related outcomes; however, concomitant declines in bone mineral density (BMD) limit overall benefit by increasing fracture risk. Declines in mechanical loading contribute to WL-associated BMD loss, with pilot data signaling the addition of external weight replacement (via weighted vest use) during intentional WL mitigates bone loss at weight bearing sites to a similar degree as resistance exercise training (RT). Definitive data in support of weighted vest use as a potential strategy to mitigate WL-associated bone loss in this population are needed.

METHODS

In the Incorporating Nutrition, Vests, Education, and Strength Training (INVEST) in Bone Health trial (NCT04076618), 192 older adults (60-85 years) who are overweight (BMI ≥ 27 kg/m²) with at least one obesity-related risk factor or obese (BMI = 30-40 kg/m²) will be randomly assigned to participate in one of three 12-month intervention groups: WL alone, WL + weighted vest use (WL + VEST), or WL + RT. The primary aim is to determine the effects of WL + VEST compared to WL alone and WL + RT on indicators of bone health and subsequent fracture risk.

DISCUSSION

Determining effective, translatable strategies that minimize bone loss during intentional WL among older adults holds public health potential. The INVEST in Bone Health trial offers an innovative approach for increasing mechanical stress during intentional WL in the absence of RT. If successful, findings from this study will provide evidence in support of a scalable solution to minimize bone loss during intentional WL among older adults with obesity.

Effect of tamoxifen with or without gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog on DXA values in women with breast cancer

The purpose of this study was to compare the changes in DXA values including trabecular bone score (TBS) and bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine (LS) and femur according to the hormone therapies including tamoxifen (TMXF) treatment with or without gonadotropin releasing hormone analog (GnRH analog) in women with breast cancer. We enrolled 119 women with breast cancer who had undergone breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy followed by TMXF treatment for postmenopausal women (TMXF group, n = 63, 52.9%) or by combination therapy of TMXF combined with GnRH analog for premenopausal women (TMXF + GnRH group, n = 56, 47.1%) from December 2013 to December 2017. The median follow-up period was 13 months (interquartile range [IQR], 12.0–14.75) for TMXF group and 13.5 months (IQR, 12.00–16.00) for TMXF + GnRH group, respectively. Patients did not receive bone-modifying therapy. The baseline dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan before breast cancer surgery and follow-up DXA during hormone therapy. Comparing the first and follow-up DXA results, BMD in LS were significantly decreased in both TMXF (P < 0.001, mean difference: − 0.06) and TMXF + GnRH (P < 0.001, mean difference: − 0.09) groups. BMD values of femoral neck (P = 0.0011, mean difference: − 0.01) and total femur (P < 0.001, mean difference: − 0.03) was significantly changed between the baseline and follow-up DXA in TMXF + RnRH group. In the TMX group, a significant changed occurred in the BMD in total femur (P < 0.001, mean difference: − 0.030) but not the BMD of femoral neck (P = 0.095, mean difference: − 0.007). Regarding TBS, no significant change was found in the TMXF (P = 0.574, mean difference: − 0.004) group, whereas there was a significant decrease in TBS in the TMXF + GnRH (P < 0.001, mean difference: − 0.02) group during follow-up. TBS is more sensitive in reflecting the bone microarchitecture changes by TMXF or GnRH agonist in breast cancer patients than BMD. This finding demonstrates that TBS can be a useful parameter to detect bone microarchitectural changes in clinical applications.

Differing Effects of Zoledronic Acid on Bone Microarchitecture and Bone Mineral Density in Men Receiving Androgen Deprivation Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) given to men with prostate cancer causes rapid and severe sex steroid deficiency, leading to increased bone remodeling and accelerated bone loss. To examine the effects of a single dose of zoledronic acid on bone microarchitecture, we conducted a 2-year randomized placebo controlled trial in 76 men, mean age (interquartile range [IQR]) 67.8 years (63.8 to 73.9) with non-metastatic prostate cancer commencing adjuvant ADT; 39 were randomized to zoledronic acid and 37 to matching placebo. Bone microarchitecture was measured using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT). Using a mixed model, mean adjusted differences (MAD; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]) between the groups are reported as the treatment effect at several time points. Over 24 months, zoledronic acid showed no appreciable treatment effect on the primary outcomes for total volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD); radius (6.7 mg HA/cm³ [-2.0 to 15.4], p = 0.21) and tibia (1.9 mg HA/cm³ [-3.3 to 7.0], p = 0.87). Similarly, there were no between-group differences in other measures of microarchitecture, with the exception of a modest effect of zoledronic acid over placebo in total cortical vBMD at the radius over 12 months (17.3 mgHA/cm³ [5.1 to 29.5]). In contrast, zoledronic acid showed a treatment effect over 24 months on areal bone mineral density (aBMD) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at all sites, including lumbar spine (0.10 g/cm² [0.07 to 0.13]), p < 0.001), and total hip (0.04 g/cm² [0.03 to 0.05], p < 0.001). Bone remodeling markers were initially suppressed in the treatment group then increased but remained lower relative to placebo (MADs at 24 months CTX -176 ng/L [-275 to -76], p < 0.001; P1NP -18 mg/L [-32 to -5], p < 0.001). These findings suggest that a single dose of zoledronic acid over 2 years is ineffective in preventing the unbalanced bone remodeling and severe microstructural deterioration associated with ADT therapy. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Aromatase Inhibitors-Induced Musculoskeletal Disorders: Current Knowledge on Clinical and Molecular Aspects

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) have radically changed the prognosis of hormone receptor positive breast cancer (BC) in post-menopausal women, and are a mainstay of the adjuvant therapy for BC after surgery in place of, or following, Tamoxifen. However, AIs aren't side effect-free; frequent adverse events involve the musculoskeletal system, in the form of bone loss, AI-associated arthralgia (AIA) syndrome and autoimmune rheumatic diseases. In this narrative review, we reported the main clinical features of these three detrimental conditions, their influence on therapy adherence, the possible underlying molecular mechanisms and the available pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. The best-known form is the AIs-induced osteoporosis, whose molecular pathway and therapeutic possibilities were extensively investigated in the last decade. AIA syndrome is a high prevalent joint pain disorder which often determines a premature discontinuation of the therapy. Several points still need to be clarified, as a universally accepted diagnostic definition, the pathogenetic mechanisms and satisfactory management strategies. The association of AIs therapy with autoimmune diseases is of the utmost interest. The related literature has been recently expanded, but many issues remain to be explored, the first being the molecular mechanisms.

Use of Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer Risk Reduction: ASCO Clinical Practice Guideline Update

PURPOSE

To update the ASCO guideline on pharmacologic interventions for breast cancer risk reduction and provide guidance on clinical issues that arise when deciding to use endocrine therapy for breast cancer risk reduction.

METHODS

An Expert Panel conducted targeted systematic literature reviews to identify new studies.

RESULTS

A randomized clinical trial that evaluated the use of anastrozole for reduction of estrogen receptor–positive breast cancers in postmenopausal women at increased risk of developing breast cancer provided the predominant basis for the update.

UPDATED RECOMMENDATIONS

In postmenopausal women at increased risk, the choice of endocrine therapy now includes anastrozole (1 mg/day) in addition to exemestane (25 mg/day), raloxifene (60 mg/day), or tamoxifen (20 mg/day). The decision regarding choice of endocrine therapy should take into consideration age, baseline comorbidities, and adverse effect profiles. Clinicians should not prescribe anastrozole, exemestane, or raloxifene for breast cancer risk reduction to premenopausal women. Tamoxifen 20 mg/day for 5 years is still considered standard of care for risk reduction in premenopausal women who are at least 35 years old and have completed childbearing. Data on low-dose tamoxifen as an alternative to the standard dose for both pre- and postmenopausal women with intraepithelial neoplasia are discussed in the Clinical Considerations section of this article. Additional information is available at www.asco.org/breast-cancer-guidelines .

Breast Cancer Chemoprevention: A Practical Guide for the Primary Care Provider

Several organizations, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, and the United States Preventive Services Task Force, recommend incorporation of breast cancer risk-based counseling and chemoprevention into routine well-woman care. However, primary care providers report both discomfort with and a lack of medical knowledge on this topic. In this review we present a practical, evidence-based guide for incorporating breast cancer risk assessment and chemoprevention into routine care. We advocate a stepwise approach consisting of: (1) risk assessment and communication, (2) selection of appropriate chemoprevention based on risk-benefit analysis, (3) shared decision-making regarding chemoprevention, and (4) management of chemoprevention side effects. We encourage providers to identify high-risk women and refer them to genetic counseling or a high-risk breast cancer clinic. For women who are not considered high risk, we suggest using the Gail model to estimate a woman's 5-year risk of invasive breast cancer. Usually, the benefits of chemoprevention outweigh the risks of chemoprevention once a woman's 5-year risk of invasive breast cancer reaches 3%. For these women there are several factors that need to be considered when selecting a chemoprevention agent, including patient preference, thrombotic history, menopausal status, absence or presence of a uterus, and bone mineral density. We advocate an evidence-based shared decision-making approach that reflects the woman's individual preferences when communicating risk and counseling about chemoprevention. After starting a chemoprevention agent, close follow-up is important as side effects of chemoprevention are common, including vasomotor symptoms and arthralgias. We also review evidence-based management of chemoprevention side effects.

French recommendations on strategies for preventing and treating osteoporosis induced by adjuvant breast cancer therapies

Standard adjuvant therapies for breast cancer such as chemotherapy or aromatase inhibitor and LH-RH agonist hormone therapy are associated with significant survival gains but also induce bone loss by aggravating the estrogen deprivation. The bone loss may be substantial, notably during early treatment, and occurs regardless of the baseline bone mineral density values. The objective of developing these recommendations was to achieve a practical consensus among various scientific societies, based on literature review, about osteoporosis prevention and treatment in these patients. The following scientific societies contributed to the work: Société Française de Rhumatologie (SFR), Groupe de Recherche et d'Information sur les Ostéoporoses (GRIO), Groupe Européen d'Etudes des Métastases Osseuses (GEMO), Association Francophone pour les Soins Oncologiques de Support (AFSOS), Société Française de Sénologie et de Pathologie Mammaire (SFSPM), Société Française de Radiothérapie Oncologique (SFRO). Drug prescription and reimbursement modalities in France were taken into account. These recommendations apply to postmenopausal women taking systemic chemotherapy and/or aromatase inhibitor therapy, non-postmenopausal women taking LH-RH agonist therapy, and non-postmenopausal women with persistent amenorrhea 1 year after chemotherapy completion. All women in these three categories should undergo an evaluation of bone health and receive interventions to combat risk factors for bone loss. Patients with a history of severe osteoporotic fracture and/or a T-score value <-2.5 should receive osteoporosis drug therapy. The FRAX® score should be used to guide treatment decisions in patients whose T-score is between -1 and -2.5. General osteoporosis prevention measures should be applied in patients without criteria for osteoporosis drug therapy, who should undergo bone mineral density measurements 18-24 months later if the baseline T-score is<-1 and 3-5 years later if the baseline T-score is>-1. The anti-tumor effect of bisphosphonates and denosumab was not considered when establishing these recommendations.

Comparison of risedronate versus placebo in preventing anastrozole-induced bone loss in women at high risk of developing breast cancer with osteopenia

Anastrozole has been shown to prevent breast cancer in postmenopausal women at high risk of the disease, but has been associated with substantial accelerated loss of bone mineral density (BMD) and increased fractures. Here, we investigate the effect of risedronate on BMD after 5 years of follow-up in the IBIS-II prevention trial. 1410 women were enrolled in the bone sub-study and stratified into three strata according to the lowest baseline T-score at spine or femoral neck. The objective was to compare the effect of oral risedronate (35 mg weekly) versus placebo in osteopenic women in stratum II who were randomised to anastrozole in the main study. 258 osteopenic, postmenopausal women at high risk of developing breast cancer for whom baseline and follow-up bone mineral density measurements were available. 5-year mean BMD change at the lumbar spine for osteopenic women randomised to anastrozole and risedronate was -0.4% compared to -4.2% for those not on risedronate (P < 0.0001) but not significantly different between risedronate users and non-users at the hip (P = 0.2). 5-year mean PINP change was -20% for those randomised to anastrozole and risedronate compared to 3% for those not on risedronate but on anastrozole (P < 0.0001). Our results confirm the bone loss associated with the use of anastrozole and show that anastrozole-induced BMD loss in the spine can be controlled with risedronate treatment. However, our results suggest that weekly oral risedronate is unable to completely prevent anastrozole induced bone loss at the hip.

Bone health in women with breast cancer

Women with early, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer are treated with adjuvant endocrine therapy, using aromatase inhibitors or selective estradiol receptor modulators such as tamoxifen, to deprive breast tissue from the deleterious effects of estradiol action, hence improving long-term prognosis. Aromatase inhibitors and, in premenopausal women, tamoxifen accelerate bone loss and increase fracture risk. Therefore, all women commencing endocrine therapy need a targeted work-up to assess the baseline fracture risk, and monitoring of bone health during endocrine therapy should be individualized based on this baseline risk. While high-level evidence specific to early breast cancer is lacking, non-pharmacologic measures to maintain optimal bone health such as weight-bearing exercise and calcium and vitamin D sufficiency should be implemented in all women. Antiresorptive treatment should be initiated in all women with preexisting fragility fractures (including vertebral morphometric fractures) and should be considered in women with areal bone mineral density (BMD) T-scores < -2.0 (or Z-scores in women aged <50 years) or those experiencing rapid bone loss (≥5% per year), taking into consideration the baseline BMD and other risk factors for fracture. Further clinical trial evidence is required to provide definitive guidance regarding criteria to initiate antiresorptive treatment, choice of agents, and duration of treatment, taking into account potential oncologic benefits of antiresorptive therapy on breast cancer-related outcomes.

Fulvestrant 500 mg Versus Exemestane in Postmenopausal Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer Resistant to Adjuvant Nonsteroidal Aromatase Inhibitors in Clinical Practice: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

Fulvestrant 500 mg and exemestane are widely used agents in first-line therapy for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive (ER⁺) postmenopausal MBC after failure of adjuvant nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor (NSAI) treatment. Although fulvestrant 250 mg had similar efficacy compared with exemestane (Evaluation of Faslodex versus Exemestane Clinical Trial study) and fulvestrant 500 mg was superior to fulvestrant 250 mg (Comparison of FASLODEX In Recurrent or Metastatic Breast Cancer study), no direct comparison between fulvestrant 500 mg and exemestane has been conducted. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of fulvestrant 500 mg and exemestane in daily practice.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of all patients with ER⁺ HER2^- MBC who received fulvestrant 500 mg or exemestane 25 mg as first-line therapy for MBC from 2015 to 2017 in 4 institutions. A total of 120 patients were available for analysis. Both agents accounted for 50% (60) patients.

RESULTS

The median progression-free survival (PFS) of the fulvestrant group was significantly longer than that in the exemestane group (6.2 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 5.0-7.4] versus 4.8 months [95% CI, 3.0-6.7], P = .024). In subgroup analysis, for patients with visceral metastasis or primary endocrine resistance, no significant difference considering PFS was observed in the 2 groups (P = .563 and .769). No significant difference of Grade 3/4 adverse events was observed in the 2 groups (3 patients, 5% versus 2 patients, 3.3%; P = .648).

CONCLUSION

Fulvestrant 500 mg showed better efficacy than exemestane in first-line therapy for MBC of ER⁺ postmenopausal women after failure of adjuvant NSAI treatment. For patients with visceral metastasis or primary endocrine resistance, both treatments showed poor outcomes, indicating a need for further alternatives (targeted therapy or chemotherapy). Both agents were well tolerated in terms of toxicities.

Antiresorptive agents' bone-protective and adjuvant effects in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer

Potent antiresorptive drugs (bisphosphonate and denosumab) are often used to protect bone health in postmenopausal breast cancer patients. In addition, clinical trials have shown that these drugs increase disease-free survival, though the mechanism of adjuvant benefit is largely unknown. Here we review the bone health and adjuvant data for both classes of antiresorptive drugs and highlight differences in their pharmacology. Inhibition of bone resorption is vitally important to protect against osteoporotic fractures, and may also contribute to adjuvant survival benefits by making the bone microenvironment less amenable to breast cancer metastasis. After a course of therapy, stoppage of bisphosphonates yields a persistent antiresorptive effect, whereas discontinuation of denosumab causes a rebound increase in bone resorption markers and a loss of bone mineral density to baseline levels. Whether the potential adjuvant benefits of denosumab are also rapidly lost after drug discontinuation deserves further investigation.

Evaluation of osteopenia and osteoporosis in younger breast cancer survivors compared with cancer-free women: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis, an indicator of significant bone loss, has been consistently reported among older breast cancer survivors. Data are limited on the incidence of osteopenia, an earlier indicator of bone loss, and osteoporosis in younger breast cancer survivors compared with cancer-free women.

METHODS

We prospectively examined bone loss in 211 breast cancer survivors (mean age at breast cancer diagnosis = 47 years) compared with 567 cancer-free women in the same cohort with familial risk for breast cancer. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate HRs and 95% CIs of osteopenia and/or osteoporosis incidence based on physician diagnosis.

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up of 5.8 years, 66% of breast cancer survivors and 53% of cancer-free women reported having a bone density examination, and 112 incident cases of osteopenia and/or osteoporosis were identified. Breast cancer survivors had a 68% higher risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis compared to cancer-free women (HR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.12-2.50). The association was stronger among recent survivors after only 2 years of follow-up (HR = 2.74, 95% CI = 1.37-5.47). A higher risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis was also observed among survivors aged ≤ 50 years, estrogen receptor-positive tumors, and those treated with aromatase inhibitors alone or chemotherapy plus any hormone therapy relative to cancer-free women.

CONCLUSIONS

Younger breast cancer survivors are at higher risk for osteopenia and osteoporosis compared to cancer-free women. Studies are needed to determine effective approaches to minimize bone loss in this population.

Bone Toolbox: Biomarkers, Imaging Tools, Biomechanics, and Histomorphometry

Bone is a unique tissue with turnover, metabolic, and cellular activities that vary through development to aging and with a mineralized matrix in which the current state and the history of a bone coexist. Qualitative histopathology often lacks sensitivity to detect changes in bone formation, mineralization and resorption, which often requires chronic dosing to result in structural changes such as variation in bone mass and geometry. A large panel of modalities can be used to fully analyze the health of the skeleton, including biomarker evaluation in serum or urine, imaging techniques ranging from radiology to computed tomography, biomechanical testing, and undecalcified tissue processing with bone histomorphometry. The use of clinically relevant biomarkers provides an important noninvasive, sensitive, rapid, and real-time tool to monitor bone activity at the whole skeleton level when conducting safety assessments in a preclinical setting. Imaging modalities also allow in vivo longitudinal assessments with a powerful, noninvasive and clinically translatable tools to monitor drug effects. Different imaging modalities are used in the preclinical studies to evaluate the bone tissues: standard radiography, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT), micro-computed tomography, and high-resolution pQCT. Bone histomorphometry is an important tool that provides sensitive evaluation to detect effects of test articles on bone resorption, formation, mineralization, remodeling rates and growth to address a potential target- or class-related theoretical bone liability. Ultimately, the measurement of bone mechanical properties in pharmaceutical testing is critical to understand the potential effects of that pharmaceutical on bone health and fracture risk. Important considerations are required for including these different techniques in toxicology rodents and nonrodent studies, to actually integrate these into safety assessment.

Premenopausal women with early breast cancer treated with estradiol suppression have severely deteriorated bone microstructure

BACKGROUND

In premenopausal women with early estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer, combined ovarian suppression and aromatase inhibition reduce estradiol production precipitously. The resulting unbalanced and rapid bone remodelling replaces older bone with less bone that is less fully mineralized. We hypothesized that these changes result in severe microstructural deterioration and reduced matrix mineralization density.

METHODS

Images of the distal radius and distal tibia were acquired using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography in a cross-sectional study of 27 premenopausal women, mean age 43.3years (range 30.4 to 53.7) with early breast cancer made estradiol deficient for 17months (range 6-120) using ovarian suppression and aromatase inhibition, 42 healthy age-matched premenopausal and 35 postmenopausal controls, mean age 62.6years (range 60.2 to 65.5). Cortical and trabecular microstructure were quantified using Strax software.

RESULTS

Compared with premenopausal controls, the women with breast cancer had 0.75 SD (95% CI 0.21 to 1.29) lower distal radial trabecular bone volume due to 1.29 SD (0.71 to 1.87) fewer trabeculae. Cortical porosity was 1.25 SD (0.59 to 1.91) higher but cortical thickness was not reduced. Compared with postmenopausal controls 20years older, cases had comparable or lower trabecular bone volume and comparable cortical porosity and thickness. Matrix mineral density was 1.56 SD (0.90 to 2.22) lower than in premenopausal controls and 2.17 SD (1.50 to 2.84) lower than in postmenopausal controls. Results at the tibia were similar.

CONCLUSION

The severe cortical porosity and trabecular deterioration associated with estradiol depletion and the longevity of premenopausal women with early breast cancer treated with endocrine therapy provide a compelling rationale to investigate the efficacy of antiresorptive therapy initiated at the time of breast cancer treatment.

Brazilian guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is the leading cause of fractures in the population older than 50 years. This silent disease affects primarily postmenopausal women and the elderly, and the morbidity and mortality rates are high. The main goal of treating osteoporosis is the prevention of fractures. The identification of populations at risk through early diagnosis and treatment is essential. The last Brazilian guideline for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis was elaborated in 2002. Since then, new strategies for diagnosis and risk stratification have been developed, and drugs with novel action mechanisms have been added to the therapeutic arsenal. The Osteoporosis and Osteometabolic Diseases Committee of the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology, in conjunction with the Brazilian Medical Association and other Societies, has developed this update of the guidelines for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis according to the best scientific evidence available. This update is intended for professionals in many medical and health specialties involved in the treatment of osteoporosis, for physicians in general and for health-related organizations.

Quantitative ultrasound and DXA measurements in aromatase inhibitor-treated breast cancer women receiving denosumab

PURPOSE

Denosumab has been proven to reduce fracture risk in breast cancer (BC) women under aromatase inhibitors (AIs). Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) provides information on the structure and elastic properties of bone. Our aim was to assess bone health by phalangeal QUS and by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and to evaluate bone turnover in AIs-treated BC women receiving denosumab.

METHODS

35 Postmenopausal BC women on AIs were recruited (mean age 61.2 ± 4.5 years) and treated with denosumab 60 mg administered subcutaneously every 6 months. Phalangeal QUS parameters [Amplitude Dependent Speed of Sound (AD-SoS), Ultrasound Bone Profile Index (UBPI), Bone Transmission Time (BTT)] and DXA at lumbar spine and femoral neck were performed. Serum C-telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) were also measured. The main outcomes were compared with a control group not receiving denosumab (n = 39).

RESULTS

In patients treated with denosumab, differently from controls, QUS and DXA measurements improved after 24 months, and a reduction of CTX and BSAP was detected at 12 and 24 months in comparison to baseline (P < 0.05). The percent changes (Δ) of QUS measurements were significantly associated with ΔBMD at femoral neck, and ΔCTX and ΔBSAP were associated with ΔBMD at lumbar spine (r = -0.39, P = 0.02; r = -0.49, P = 0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Denosumab preserves bone health as assessed by phalangeal QUS and DXA. Since inexpensive and radiation-free, phalangeal QUS may be considered in the follow-up of AIs-treated BC women receiving denosumab.

Impact of the OATP1B1 c.521T>C single nucleotide polymorphism on the pharmacokinetics of exemestane in healthy post-menopausal female volunteers

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

OATP1B1 mediates the transport of a diverse range of amphiphilic organic compounds that include bile acids, steroid conjugates and hormones. This retrospective pharmacogenetic study was conducted to assess the impact of the OATP1B1 c.521T>C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on the pharmacokinetics of the steroidal aromatase inhibitor drug exemestane in healthy volunteers.

METHODS

Exemestane (25 mg) was administered orally to 14 healthy post-menopausal women. All of the 14 subjects were sampled for pharmacokinetic (PK) analyses and retrospectively genotyped for OATP1B1 c.521T>C (rs 4149056).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Of the 14 subjects enrolled in the study, five were carriers of the minor C allele (OATP1B1 c.521TC+CC) and the remaining nine were carriers of the OATP1B1 c.521TT genotype. PK was assessed over 8 hours post-dosing. Our results showed statistically significant differences (P=.04) in the plasma exemestane AUC_0-8 between the OATP1B1 genotype groups. Our data also showed statistically significant differences (P=.04) in the plasma AUC_0-8 of 17-hydroexemestane (the major biologically active metabolite) between the OATP1B1 genotype groups.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that the OAPTP1B1 c.521T>C SNP may influence exemestane pharmacokinetics in humans.

Low-trauma fractures without osteoporosis

In clinical practice, areal bone mineral density (aBMD) is usually measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to assess bone status in patients with or without osteoporotic fracture. As BMD has a Gaussian distribution, it is difficult to define a cutoff for osteoporosis diagnosis. Based on epidemiological considerations, WHO defined a DXA-based osteoporosis diagnosis with a T-score <-2.5. However, the majority of individuals who have low-trauma fractures do not have osteoporosis with DXA (i.e., T-score <-2.5), and some of them have no decreased BMD at all. Some medical conditions (spondyloarthropathies, chronic kidney disease and mineral bone disorder, diabetes, obesity) or drugs (glucocorticoids, aromatase inhibitors) are more prone to cause fractures with subnormal BMD. In the situation of fragility fractures with subnormal or normal BMD, clinicians face a difficulty as almost all the pharmacologic treatments have proved their efficacy in patients with low BMD. However, some data are available in post hoc analyses in patients with T score >-2. Overall, in patients with a previous fragility fracture (especially vertebra or hip), treatments appear to be effective. Thus, the authors recommend treating some patients with a major fragility fracture even if areal BMD T score is above -2.5.

Bone strength and management of postmenopausal fracture risk with antiresorptive therapies: considerations for women's health practice

Bone strength – and, hence, fracture risk – reflects the structural and material properties of the skeleton, which changes with bone turnover during aging and following effective pharmacotherapy. A variety of powerful new techniques (quantitative computed tomography, as well as peripheral quantitative computed tomography and high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography) provide precise images of bone structure and can be used to model the response of specific bones to different types of mechanical load. This review explores the various components of bone strength and the clinical significance of measures, such as bone mineral density, bone turnover markers, and modern imaging data, with regard to fracture risk in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis, before and after initiating antiresorptive therapy. These imaging and related techniques offer an ever-clearer picture of the changes in bone structure and bone mineral metabolism during normal aging and in osteoporosis, as well as in response to treatment. However, because the newer techniques are not yet available in routine practice, validated tools for absolute fracture risk assessment remain essential for clinical decision making. These tools, which are tailored to patient risk data in individual countries, are based on bone mineral density and other readily available clinical data. In addition, bone turnover marker measurements can be useful in assessing risk and guiding treatment decisions for women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Such tests may be used before starting a patient on antiresorptive therapy and for ongoing monitoring of treatment effectiveness.

Uptake of exemestane chemoprevention in postmenopausal women at increased risk for breast cancer

Despite their efficacy, uptake of selective estrogen receptor modulators for breast cancer chemoprevention remains low. Exemestane, an aromatase inhibitor, has recently been identified as a potential chemopreventive option with fewer serious side effects compared with selective estrogen receptor modulators in postmenopausal women. The purpose of this study was to assess the uptake of exemestane in a breast cancer prevention clinic. A retrospective chart review was conducted to capture chemoprevention uptake by postmenopausal women presenting to the Yale Breast Cancer Prevention Clinic between November 2011 and November 2012. Descriptive statistics of the study population have been presented. Statistical analyses were carried out using SAS 9.3 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, North Carolina, USA) between December 2012 and February 2013. Of 90 postmenopausal women, 56 were eligible for chemoprevention. Their mean age was 56.8 years. Among the women, 39% had osteopenia or osteoporosis. Thirteen women chose to start chemoprevention medication (23%). Although 31% of the chemopreventive medication administered included exemestane, only four of 56 postmenopausal women opted for exemestane (7%). Chemoprevention uptake rates of postmenopausal women in the setting of a breast cancer prevention clinic are higher than that reported in the general population; however, they remain low overall despite the inclusion of exemestane as an option. A significant proportion of postmenopausal women have decreased bone density, which is a potential barrier to exemestane uptake. The results provide practical implications suggesting that exemestane may have limited impact on breast cancer chemoprevention uptake. Further investigations should focus on understanding the factors that influence, predict, and increase chemoprevention uptake.

Italian association of clinical endocrinologists (AME) position statement: drug therapy of osteoporosis

Treatment of osteoporosis is aimed to prevent fragility fractures and to stabilize or increase bone mineral density. Several drugs with different efficacy and safety profiles are available. The long-term therapeutic strategy should be planned, and the initial treatment should be selected according to the individual site-specific fracture risk and the need to give the maximal protection when the fracture risk is highest (i.e. in the late life). The present consensus focused on the strategies for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis taking into consideration all the drugs available for this purpose. A short revision of the literature about treatment of secondary osteoporosis due both to androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer and to aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer was also performed. Also premenopausal females and males with osteoporosis are frequently seen in endocrine settings. Finally particular attention was paid to the tailoring of treatment as well as to its duration.

Physician and Patient Barriers to Breast Cancer Preventive Therapy

The uptake of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) and aromatase inhibitors (AIs) for the primary prevention of breast cancer is low, despite their proven efficacy in several randomized clinical trials. This review summarizes the latest data on physicians' and women's barriers to breast cancer preventive therapy. Physicians' challenges include: identifying suitable candidates for preventive therapy, inadequate training and confidence in risk assessment and counselling, insufficient knowledge of risk-reducing medications, and lack of time. High-risk women fear medication side effects, and they often weigh experiences of others more heavily than statistical probabilities to guide their decision-making. Despite decision aid interventions to help women make an informed decision, acceptance of preventive therapy will remain low until: risk/benefit profiles are more favorable, physicians are better educated and skilled in having these discussions, and suitable biomarkers to monitor drug efficacy and better clinical risk prediction models to assess true individual risk are available.

Factors affecting uptake and adherence to breast cancer chemoprevention: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Preventive therapy is a risk reduction option for women who have an increased risk of breast cancer. The effectiveness of preventive therapy to reduce breast cancer incidence depends on adequate levels of uptake and adherence to therapy. We aimed to systematically review articles reporting uptake and adherence to therapeutic agents to prevent breast cancer among women at increased risk, and identify the psychological, clinical and demographic factors affecting these outcomes.

DESIGN

Searches were carried out in PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE and PsychInfo, yielding 3851 unique articles. Title, abstract and full text screening left 53 articles, and a further 4 studies were identified from reference lists, giving a total of 57. This review was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD42014014957).

RESULTS

Twenty-four articles reporting 26 studies of uptake in 21 423 women were included in a meta-analysis. The pooled uptake estimate was 16.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) 13.6-19.0], with high heterogeneity (I(2) = 98.9%, P < 0.001). Uptake was unaffected by study location or agent, but was significantly higher in trials [25.2% (95% CI 18.3-32.2)] than in non-trial settings [8.7% (95% CI 6.8-10.9)] (P < 0.001). Factors associated with higher uptake included having an abnormal biopsy, a physician recommendation, higher objective risk, fewer side-effect or trial concerns, and older age. Adherence (day-to-day use or persistence) over the first year was adequate. However, only one study reported a persistence of ≥ 80% by 5 years. Factors associated with lower adherence included allocation to tamoxifen (versus placebo or raloxifene), depression, smoking and older age. Risk of breast cancer was discussed in all qualitative studies.

CONCLUSION

Uptake of therapeutic agents for the prevention of breast cancer is low, and long-term persistence is often insufficient for women to experience the full preventive effect. Uptake is higher in trials, suggesting further work should focus on implementing preventive therapy within routine care.

Bone health in adults treated with endocrine therapy for early breast or prostate cancer

Bone is a hormonally responsive organ. Sex hormones and calcium regulating hormones, including parathyroid hormone, 1-25 dihydroxy vitamin D, and calcitonin, have effects on bone resorption and bone deposition. These hormones affect both bone quality and bone quantity. The sex hormone estrogen inhibits bone resorption, and estrogen therapy has been developed to prevent and treat osteoporosis. Androgens are an important source of estrogen through the action of the enzyme aromatase and may themselves stimulate bone formation. Hence, the sex steroids play a role in bone metabolism. Breast cancer and prostate cancer are frequently hormonally responsive and may be treated with antiestrogens or antiandrogens respectfully. In addition, chemotherapy and supportive medications may alter the patient's endocrine system. In general, the suppression of sex hormones has a predictable affect on bone health, as seen by loss of bone mineral density and increased risk of fragility fractures. The bone toxicity of cancer-directed endocrine therapy can be mitigated through screening, counseling on optimization of calcium and vitamin D intake, exercise, and other lifestyle/behavioral actions, as well as the use of medications when the fracture risk is high. Maintaining bone health in patients who are treated with endocrine therapy for breast and prostate cancer is the focus of this review.

Elevated incidence of fractures in women with invasive breast cancer

This study evaluates the incidence of bone fractures in women with BC.We found that women with invasive breast cancer are at an increased risk for bone fractures, with fractures most commonly occurring at lower extremity and vertebral sites. The risk is further increased in women undergoing cancer therapy.

INTRODUCTION

Bone loss and fractures in breast cancer have generally been attributed to aromatase inhibitor use. This study assessed the incidence of fractures after invasive breast cancer diagnosis and evaluated bone density and FRAX risk calculation at time of fracture occurrence.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of women with invasive breast cancer [June 2003-December 2011] who participated in an academic hospital based genetic biobank. Demographic and clinical characteristics were abstracted from the electronic medical record (EMR).

RESULTS

A total of 422 women with invasive breast cancer were assessed; 79 (28 %) sustained fractures during the observation period; fractures occurred at multiple skeletal sites in 27 cases (116 fractures). The incidence of fractures was 40 per 1000 person-years. Women who sustained fractures were mostly white and had a family history of osteoporosis (36.9 %, p = 0.03) or history of a prior fracture (6/79, p = 0.004). Fractures occurred 4.0 years (range 0-12 years) after cancer diagnosis. Fracture cases had femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) of 0.72 + 0.12 g/cm(2), T-score of -1.2, that is, within the low bone mass range. Fractures most commonly occurred in lower extremities, vertebral, and wrist sites. Hip fractures accounted for 11 % of fractures, occurring at a median age of 61 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Fractures occur shortly after commencing cancer therapy. Rapid bone loss associated with cancer therapy may precipitate fractures. Fractures occur at relatively higher BMD in BC. Occurrence of fractures in invasive breast cancer raises the possibility of cancer-induced impairment in bone quality.

Exemestane Use in Postmenopausal Women at High Risk for Invasive Breast Cancer: Evaluating Biomarkers of Efficacy and Safety

This phase II trial evaluated clinical markers of efficacy and safety of exemestane in postmenopausal women at increased risk for breast cancer. Postmenopausal women (n = 42) at risk for invasive breast cancer received 25 mg exemestane daily for 2 years along with calcium and vitamin D. The primary outcome was change in mammographic density (MD) after one year. Secondary outcomes included change in serum steroid hormones as well as change in trefoil protein 1 (TFF1) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in breast tissue. Safety and tolerability were also assessed. MD decreased at 1 year and was significant at 2 years [mean change = -4.1%; 95% confidence intervals (CI), -7.2 to -1.1; P = 0.009]. Serum estradiol and testosterone levels significantly decreased at 3 months and remained suppressed at 12 months. After 1 year of treatment, TFF1 intensity decreased (mean change -1.32; 95% CI, -1.87 to -0.76; P < 0.001). Exemestane was safe and well tolerated. Exemestane decreased MD and expression of breast tissue TFF1. It was well tolerated with few clinically relevant side effects. MD and breast tissue TFF1 are potential biomarkers of breast cancer-preventive effects of exemestane in high-risk postmenopausal women.

Proceedings of the 2015 Santa Fe Bone Symposium: Clinical Applications of Scientific Advances in Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Disease

The 2015 Santa Fe Bone Symposium was a venue for healthcare professionals and clinical researchers to present and discuss the clinical relevance of recent advances in the science of skeletal disorders, with a focus on osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease. Symposium topics included new developments in the translation of basic bone science to improved patient care, osteoporosis treatment duration, pediatric bone disease, update of fracture risk assessment, cancer treatment-related bone loss, fracture liaison services, a review of the most significant studies of the past year, and the use of telementoring with Bone Health Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes, a force multiplier to improve the care of osteoporosis in underserved communities.

Personalized assessment and management of women at risk for breast cancer in North America

Many women at increased risk for breast cancer would benefit from referral for genetic testing, enhanced screening, preventive therapy or risk-reducing surgery. We present a visual model and a step-wise approach to assist with a personalized risk stratification and management of these women. We present current recommendations with respect to lifestyle behaviors and mammographic screening, and we review the current evidence regarding enhanced screening and risk-reducing therapies. We discuss the usefulness of three risk-assessment tools in determining whether a woman qualifies for genetic testing, enhanced screening or preventive therapy and present four cases to demonstrate the usefulness of this approach in the clinical setting.

Negative Impact of Aromatase Inhibitors on Proximal Femoral Bone Mass and Geometry in Postmenopausal Women with Breast Cancer

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs), the standard therapy for estrogen receptor- or progesterone receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women, lead to increased hip fractures in breast cancer patients. To investigate the mechanism of increased incidence of hip fractures in breast cancer patients treated with AIs, we evaluated bone mineral density (BMD) in the cortical and trabecular compartments and assessed femoral geometry using quantitative computed tomography (QCT) in breast cancer patients. In total, 249 early breast cancer patients who underwent QCT in their fifties (mean age 54.3 years) were retrospectively analyzed. Proximal femoral BMD and geometrical parameters were compared. In all regions of the proximal femur, cortical areal BMDs were lower in the AI group than in the non-AI group (p < 0.05). Cortical thickness of the femoral neck, trochanter, and total hip was significantly lower in the AI group compared with the non-AI group (p < 0.05). Analysis of the narrowest section of the femoral neck showed significantly thinner cortical bone and smaller cortical area in the AI group than in the non-AI group (p < 0.05), especially in the superoposterior quadrant. Bone strength parameters in the femoral neck, such as the section modulus and cross-sectional moment of inertia, were significantly lower in the AI group than in the non-AI group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, AI treatment in breast cancer patients is associated with deterioration of femoral cortical BMD and geometry, which could contribute in site-specific weakened bone strength and increased incidence of hip fractures.

Adjuvant denosumab in breast cancer (ABCSG-18): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Adjuvant endocrine therapy compromises bone health in patients with breast cancer, causing osteopenia, osteoporosis, and fractures. Antiresorptive treatments such as bisphosphonates prevent and counteract these side-effects. In this trial, we aimed to investigate the effects of the anti-RANK ligand antibody denosumab in postmenopausal, aromatase inhibitor-treated patients with early-stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

METHODS

In this prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial, postmenopausal patients with early hormone receptor-positive breast cancer receiving treatment with aromatase inhibitors were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either denosumab 60 mg or placebo administered subcutaneously every 6 months in 58 trial centres in Austria and Sweden. Patients were assigned by an interactive voice response system. The randomisation schedule used a randomly permuted block design with block sizes 2 and 4, stratified by type of hospital regarding Hologic device for DXA scans, previous aromatase inhibitor use, and baseline bone mineral density. Patients, treating physicians, investigators, data managers, and all study personnel were masked to treatment allocation. The primary endpoint was time from randomisation to first clinical fracture, analysed by intention to treat. As an additional sensitivity analysis, we also analysed the primary endpoint on the per-protocol population. Patients were treated until the prespecified number of 247 first clinical fractures was reached. This trial is ongoing (patients are in follow-up) and is registered with the European Clinical Trials Database, number 2005-005275-15, and with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00556374.

FINDINGS

Between Dec 18, 2006, and July 22, 2013, 3425 eligible patients were enrolled into the trial, of whom 3420 were randomly assigned to receive denosumab 60 mg (n=1711) or placebo (n=1709) subcutaneously every 6 months. Compared with the placebo group, patients in the denosumab group had a significantly delayed time to first clinical fracture (hazard ratio [HR] 0·50 [95% CI 0·39-0·65], p<0·0001). The overall lower number of fractures in the denosumab group (92) than in the placebo group (176) was similar in all patient subgroups, including in patients with a bone mineral density T-score of -1 or higher at baseline (n=1872, HR 0·44 [95% CI 0·31-0·64], p<0·0001) and in those with a bone mineral density T-score of less than -1 already at baseline (n=1548, HR 0·57 [95% CI 0·40-0·82], p=0·002). The patient incidence of adverse events in the safety analysis set (all patients who received at least one dose of study drug) did not differ between the denosumab group (1366 events, 80%) and the placebo group (1334 events, 79%), nor did the numbers of serious adverse events (521 vs 511 [30% in each group]). The main adverse events were arthralgia and other aromatase-inhibitor related symptoms; no additional toxicity from the study drug was reported. Despite proactive adjudication of every potential osteonecrosis of the jaw by an international expert panel, no cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw were reported. 93 patients (3% of the full analysis set) died during the study, of which one death (in the denosumab group) was thought to be related to the study drug.

INTERPRETATION

Adjuvant denosumab 60 mg twice per year reduces the risk of clinical fractures in postmenopausal women with breast cancer receiving aromatase inhibitors, and can be administered without added toxicity. Since a main side-effect of adjuvant breast cancer treatment can be substantially reduced by the addition of denosumab, this treatment should be considered for clinical practice.

FUNDING

Amgen.

Chemoprevention for Breast Cancer

Background

Many women at increased risk for breast cancer could benefit from preventive therapy. Preventive therapy options for breast cancer risk reduction have expanded in the last few years to include both selective receptor modulators (tamoxifen and raloxifene) and aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole and exemestane).

Methods

Risk factors that place women at high risk for breast cancer, as well as risk calculation models appropriate for the selection of candidates for preventive therapy, are presented, followed by a review of current guidelines for chemoprevention and results of chemoprevention trials.

Results

The modified Gail model or Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool is the most widely utilized risk assessment calculator to determine eligibility for chemoprevention. Women most likely to benefit from preventive therapy include those at high risk under the age of 50 years and those with atypical hyperplasia. Physician and patient barriers limit widespread acceptance and adherence to preventive therapy.

Conclusions

Published guidelines on chemoprevention for breast cancer have been updated to increase awareness and encourage discussion between patients and their physicians regarding evidence-based studies evaluating the benefits of preventive options for women at increased risk for breast cancer. However, even with increasing awareness and established benefits of preventive therapy, the uptake of chemoprevention has been low, with both physician and patient barriers identified. It is prudent that these barriers be overcome to enable high-risk women with a favorable risk-to-benefit ratio to be offered chemoprevention to reduce their likelihood of developing hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

Safety of aromatase inhibitor therapy in breast cancer

INTRODUCTION

Aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy is the current preferred choice of endocrine therapy in postmenopausal estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer patients thanks to their improved effectiveness compared to tamoxifen. Despite the absence of increased endometrial pathology and deep venous thrombosis seen in tamoxifen-users, the safety profile of AIs consists of a variety of bothersome side effects negatively influencing daily functioning.

AREAS COVERED

Besides the well-known adverse effects on joints and bone and the vasomotor system, more neglected and latent toxicity like cognitive problems and vulvovaginal atrophy will be discussed. Concern has been raised in terms of increased risk of fractures and cardiovascular events with chronic AI use.

EXPERT OPINION

Placebo-controlled long-term studies carefully monitoring these adverse events, together with more extensive research in the etiologies, are warranted.

Medical prevention of breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer of women in Western Europe and North America. Effective strategies of medical prevention could reduce the burden of breast cancer mortality. The best evidence for a risk reduction exists for hormonal agents such as tamoxifen and raloxifene (22-72%) or aromatase inhibitors (50-65%). However, the severity of side effects and the lack of evidence for an improved survival compromise the risk/benefit balance. In this review the results of chemoprevention studies, including new treatment approaches, are summarized with critical discussion of their use in clinical practice.

Status of adjuvant endocrine therapy for breast cancer

Adjuvant endocrine therapy reduces the risk of recurrence and death from breast cancer in women with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer. Tamoxifen has been the standard therapy for decades, and this is still the case for pre-menopausal women. Ovarian suppression is of similar efficacy but currently there is no strong evidence for adding this to tamoxifen and the additional morbidity can be considerable. Results from two important trials addressing this issue are imminent. In post-menopausal women, aromatase inhibitors (AIs) (letrozole, anastrozole, or exemestane) are superior to tamoxifen in preventing recurrence but only letrozole has been shown to improve survival. The main gain is against high-risk cancers, and tamoxifen gives very similar benefit for low-risk disease. Traditionally, treatment has been given for around 5 years, but many women remain at risk of relapse for 10 years or more. The AIs, and more recently tamoxifen, have been shown to reduce further the risk of late recurrence in women still in remission after 5 years of tamoxifen if given for a further 5 years. The comparative benefits of these two options and the selection of patients most likely to benefit from long-term adjuvant endocrine therapy are important topics for further research, as is the optimum duration of AI therapy started upfront.

Changes in bone mineral density at 3 years in postmenopausal women receiving anastrozole and risedronate in the IBIS-II bone substudy: an international, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Aromatase inhibitors prevent breast cancer in postmenopausal women at high risk of the disease but are associated with accelerated bone loss. We assessed effectiveness of oral risedronate for prevention of reduction in bone mineral density (BMD) after 3 years of follow-up in a subset of patients in the IBIS-II trial.

METHODS

The double-blind IBIS-II trial recruited 3864 healthy, postmenopausal women at increased risk of breast cancer and randomly allocated them oral anastrozole (1 mg/day) or matched placebo. 1410 (36%) postmenopausal women were then enrolled in a bone substudy and stratified at baseline according to their lowest baseline T score at spine or femoral neck (stratum I: T score at least -1·0; stratum II: T score at least -2·5 but less than -1·0; stratum III: T score less than -2·5 but greater than -4·0). Women in stratum I were monitored only; women in stratum III were all given risedronate (35 mg/week). Women in stratum II were randomly assigned (1:1) to risedronate (35 mg/week) or matched placebo by use of a block randomisation schedule via a web-based programme. The primary outcome of this per-protocol analysis (done with all women with a baseline and 3 year DXA assessment) was the effect of risedronate versus placebo for osteopenic women in stratum II randomly allocated to anastrozole (1 mg/day). Secondary outcomes included effect of anastrozole (1 mg/day) on BMD in women not receiving risedronate (strata I and II) and in osteoporotic women who were all treated with risedronate (stratum III). The trial is ongoing, but no longer recruiting. This trial is registered, number ISRCTN31488319.

FINDINGS

Between Feb 2, 2003, and Sept 30, 2010, 150 (58%) of 260 women in stratum II who had been randomly allocated to anastrozole and either risedronate or placebo had baseline and 3 year assessments. At the lumbar spine, 3 year mean BMD change for the 77 women receiving anastrozole/risedronate was 1·1% (95% CI 0·2 to 2·1) versus -2·6% (-4·0 to -1·3) for the 73 women receiving anastrozole/placebo (p<0·0001). For the total hip, 3 year mean BMD change for women receiving anastrozole/risedronate was -0·7% (-1·6 to 0·2) versus -3·5% (-4·6 to -2·3) for women receiving anastrozole/placebo (p=0·0001). 652 (65%) of 1008 women in strata I and II who were not randomly allocated to risedronate had both baseline and 3 year assessments. Women not receiving risedronate in stratum I and II who received anastrozole (310 women) had a significant BMD decrease after 3 years of follow-up compared with women who received placebo (342 women) at the lumbar spine (-4·0% [-4·5 to -3·4] vs -1·2% [-1·7 to -0·7], p<0·0001) and total hip (-4·0% [-4·4 to -3·6] vs -1·8% [-2·1 to -1·4], p<0·0001). 106 (79%) of 149 women in stratum III had a baseline and a 3 year assessment. The 46 women allocated to anastrozole had a modest BMD increase of 1·2% (-0·1 to 2·6) at the spine compared with a 3·9% (2·6 to 5·2) increase for the 60 women allocated to placebo (p=0·006). For the total hip, a small 0·3% (-0·9 to 1·5) increase was noted for women allocated anastrozole compared with a 1·5% (0·5 to 2·5) increase for women allocated placebo, but the difference was not significant (p=0·12). The most common adverse event reported was arthralgia (stratum I: 94 placebo and 114 anastrozole; stratum II: 39 placebo/placebo, 25 placebo/risedronate, 34 anastrozole/placebo, and 34 anastrozole/risedronate; stratum III: 21 placebo/risedronate, 17 anastrozole/risedronate). Other adverse events included hot flushes, alopecia, abdominal pain, and back pain.

INTERPRETATION

Risedronate counterbalances the effect of anastrozole-induced bone loss in osteopenic and osteoporotic women and might be offered in combination with anastrozole treatment to provide an improved risk-benefit profile.

FUNDING

Cancer Research UK (C569/A5032), National Health and Medical Research Council Australia (GNT300755, GNT569213), Sanofi-Aventis, and AstraZeneca.