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Cancer research

Bone Mineral Density in Premenopausal Patients with Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Affected by Ovarian Function Suppression

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— 1 min read

Premenopausal patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer are at risk of experiencing bone mineral density loss due to ovarian function suppression (OFS), while tamoxifen-only treatment shows minimal impact on bone health. According to a recent study published in Frontiers in Oncology, the addition of OFS to tamoxifen-only treatment led to significantly decreased bone mineral density in the spine and femur among premenopausal patients. This study highlights the potential deleterious effects of OFS on bone health in these patients.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study included 522 premenopausal patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, who underwent breast cancer treatment and bone mineral density examinations at diagnosis, 3 years, and 5 years.
  • The results showed that the addition of OFS to tamoxifen-only treatment led to a higher bone loss incidence in the OFS addition group at baseline, with a significantly increased risk of BMD deterioration.
  • Within the Asan Medical Center (AMC) subset, the OFS addition group exhibited significantly decreased BMD in the spine and femur from the baseline to 3-year period, and non-significantly decreased BMD occurred from the baseline to 5 years.
  • The study concluded that early OFS exerted an even more detrimental influence on bone health in premenopausal patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer and recovered ovarian function.
  • The study highlights the importance of considering bone health in premenopausal patients with breast cancer, particularly those undergoing OFS treatment.

Statistics:

  • 522 premenopausal patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer were included in the study.
  • The study found a higher bone loss incidence in the OFS addition group at baseline (p=0.028).
  • The OFS addition group had a significantly increased risk of BMD deterioration (odds ratio=2.970, p=0.008).
  • Within the AMC subset, the OFS addition group exhibited significantly decreased BMD in the spine (p=0.023) and femur (p=0.040) from the baseline to 3-year period.

Sources:

  • Comparative study on bone mineral density in premenopausal patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer in ASTRRA Study: a 5-year follow-up study. Frontiers in Oncology, 2025,15. (Frontiers in Oncology - http://www.frontiersin.org/oncology)
  • NewsRx. Findings in Breast Cancer Reported from University of Ulsan College of Medicine (Comparative study on bone mineral density in premenopausal patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer in ASTRRA Study: a 5-year follow-up study). OBGYN & Reproduction Week. October 20, 2025; p 312.

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