Zometa and AIs
Posted 2/4/2010
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I have written several times before about concerns re bone density loss for women taking any of the AIs. When you begin one of these hormonal therapies, it is a good idea to have a baseline bone density test, You and your doctor can then discuss how often the test should be repeated--the range generally between every one to two years while you are taking the medication.
Here is a brief summary from a study by Hines et al published recently in The Breast about the value of Zometa for women taking AIs. Note that these women were also taking calcium and Vit D. There are other oral bisphosphonates which are also helpful, so you and your doctor will have some options as you consider this concern.
Zoledronic acid for treatment of osteopenia and osteoporosis in women with primary breast cancer undergoing adjuvant aromatase inhibitor therapy
The Breast, 01/21/10 Hines SL et al.
Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis/osteopenia are at increased risk of fracture. Aromatase inhibitors further increase bone loss in these patients. This study evaluates whether zoledronic acid prevents the bone loss expected when these patients initiate letrozole. Zoledronic acid prevents bone loss in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis/osteopenia starting letrozole and is associated with improvements in BMD.
Methods
- Postmenopausal women with estrogen and/or progesterone receptor-positive breast cancer and a bone mineral density (BMD) T-score < ?2.0 were given letrozole 2.5mg/vitamin D 400 international units daily, calcium 500mg twice daily, and 4mg zoledronic acid every 6months.
- BMD was assessed at baseline and 1year
- Primary endpoint was the mean change in lumbar spine (LS) BMD at 1year
Results
46 patients completed 1year of treatment
LS BMD increased by 2.66% (p=0.01), femoral neck (FN) by 4.81% , and any measured>
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