The role of antiresorptive therapies in improving patient care in early and metastatic breast cancer

Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2012 Apr;132(2):355-63. doi: 10.1007/s10549-011-1800-z. Epub 2011 Oct 11.

Abstract

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among American women and has a high rate of metastasis to bone. Patients regularly undergo adjuvant therapy (chemotherapy or hormonal therapy) following surgical resection of the tumor. In addition to potential direct effects on bone cells, both chemotherapy and hormonal therapy induce ovarian dysfunction and dramatically decrease estrogen levels in both pre- and postmenopausal women. This leads to decreased bone mineral density and increased fracture risk. Antiresorptive therapies (e.g, zoledronic acid and denosumab) have demonstrated efficacy in preventing cancer therapy-induced bone loss in patients with breast cancer and are approved for the prevention of skeletal-related events in patients with bone metastases from breast cancer. This review will focus on the evolving role of these antiresorptive therapies in the care of women with early or metastatic breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / adverse effects*
  • Bone Density / drug effects
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / adverse effects
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bone Neoplasms / complications
  • Bone Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary
  • Bone Resorption / etiology
  • Bone Resorption / pathology
  • Bone Resorption / prevention & control*
  • Breast Neoplasms / complications
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Female
  • Fractures, Bone / etiology
  • Fractures, Bone / pathology
  • Fractures, Bone / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Osteoporosis / etiology
  • Osteoporosis / pathology
  • Osteoporosis / prevention & control*
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents