A new Position Statement, jointly published by seven international and European organizations, identifies fracture-related risk factors in patients treated by aromatase-inhibitors (AI) and outlines key management strategies to help prevent bone loss and related fractures.
The Statement is authored by experts from the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), Cancer and Bone Society (CABS), International Expert Group for AIBL (IEG), European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO), European Calcified Tissue Society (ECTS), International Menopause Society (IMS), and the International Society for Geriatric Oncology (SIOG).
Download 'Joint Position Statement: Management of Aromatase Inhibitor-Associated Bone Loss (AIBL) in postmenopausal women with hormone sensitive breast cancer'
Women receiving adjuvant AI therapy for breast cancer experience a two to four-fold increase in bone loss compared to the normal rate of bone loss with menopause -- and as a result they are at heightened risk of fracture.
Professor René Rizzoli, Chairman of the IOF Bone and Cancer Working Group, stated: "While clinical trials have shown an approximately 10% increase in absolute fracture risk for women on AI therapy, other real-world studies indicate that the fracture risk may be significantly higher. Additionally, breast cancer patients hospitalized for a bone fracture showed a higher risk of death compared to breast cancer patients without a bone fracture. These are compelling reasons to ensure that all women on AI therapy for breast cancer receive early assessment and treatment."
Among its conclusions, the Position states:
Professor Peyman Hadji, first author of the paper and board member of the Cancer and Bone Society, added: "As fragility fractures often result in prolonged disability and loss of independence, it is important that women who are being treated for hormone-sensitive breast cancer are managed to prevent bone loss and related fractures. As well, given that recent research has revealed the potential anticancer benefits of antiresorptive agents in early breast cancer, these agents can also play a role in preventing disease recurrence."
The authors note that in addition to the established risk factors used in the Position Statement's bone health algorithm, other potential fracture risk factors in women with breast cancer include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, low weight, and family history of hip fractures. Further studies examining the role of these factors are encouraged and annual assessment of breast cancer patients with these potential risk factors may be prudent.
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Reference:
P Hadji, M S Aapro, JJ Body, M Gnant, ML Brandi, JY Reginster, M Carola Zillikens, CC Glüer, T de Villiers, R Baber, G D Roodman, C Cooper, B Langdahl, S Palacios, J Kanis, N Al-Daghri, X Nogues, E Fink Eriksen, A Kurth, R Rizzoli, RE Coleman. 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. Journal of Bone Oncology , Vol. 7, June 2017, Pages 1-12. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbo.2017.03.001
About IOF:
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is the world's largest nongovernmental organization dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal diseases. IOF members, including committees of scientific researchers as well as 240 patient, medical and research societies in 99 locations, work together to make fracture prevention and healthy mobility a worldwide heath care priority. http://www.iofbonehealth.org / http://www.facebook.com/iofbonehealth @iofbonehealth
Journal of Bone Oncology