Denosumab Therapy Preserves Bone Density and Strength in Premenopausal Women with Breast Cancer

A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology has shown that denosumab therapy can effectively preserve bone density and strength in premenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer who are undergoing estradiol suppression therapy. The research, conducted by a team of scientists at the University of Melbourne, aimed to investigate the effects of denosumab on bone loss and microarchitectural deterioration in these patients.

Key Takeaways:

• The study involved 68 premenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive early-stage breast cancer who were randomly assigned to receive either denosumab or placebo alongside estradiol suppression therapy.
• Denosumab significantly prevented the decrease in distal tibial total volumetric bone mineral density (BMD) over 12 months, with a mean adjusted between-group difference of 20.8 mg HA/cm^3 (95% CI, 17.3 to 24.2).
• The therapy also preserved cortical BMD (42.9 mg HA/cm^3, 95% CI, 32.1 to 53.9), trabecular BMD (3.32 mg HA/cm^3, 95% CI, 1.45 to 5.20), estimated stiffness (11.6 kN/m, 95% CI, 7.6 to 15.6), and failure load (563 N, 95% CI, 388 to 736) at the distal tibia and radius.
• Decreases in BMD at the lumbar spine, total hip, and femoral neck were also prevented with denosumab therapy.
• The researchers concluded that treatment with denosumab preserves BMD, bone microarchitecture, and estimated strength, and is likely to increase fracture-free survival.

Sources:

• Denosumab Prevents Bone Loss and Microarchitectural Deterioration in Premenopausal Women With Breast Cancer Receiving Estradiol Suppression Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2024,42(29).
• American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1200/jco.23.02309.