Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common tumor in women worldwide and osteoporosis is linked to it, 70- 80% of patients re- ceive adjuvant endocrine therapy to improve prognosis; but, they accelerate bone loss and increase the risk of fractures by causing inflammation that stimulates bone breakdown and slows bone growth; Assessment of initial risk of fracture, monitoring of bone health and individualization based on initial risk, implementation of non-pharmacological measures, consideration of bone mineral density T-scores, guidance on criteria for starting antiresorptive treatment, choice of agents and duration of treatment, taking into account the oncological benefits of antiresorptive treatment. To analyze and evaluate the causes of bone loss in patients with breast cancer, adequate detection to estimate the risk of osteoporosis and fractures, prevention and therapeutic strategies for these, and the role of antiresorptive agents as adjuvant therapy. Despite advances in the management of bone loss induced by breast cancer, the optimal time to start antiresorptive agents and the duration of treatment remain unanswered; although, the evidence supports the use of therapeutic agents to protect bone health in breast cancer. Future clinical trials, as well as increased awareness of bone health, are needed to improve prevention, evaluation, and treatment in long-term breast cancer survivors.
Background
Breast cancer (BC), which is the most common tumor in women worldwide, regardless of age, is characterized by a peak incidence in postmenopausal age (50-69 years) [1]. The most common cause of bone loss in women is menopause and aging; this is associated with increased bone resorption and less bone formation, while menopause induces accelerated bone loss due to reduced estrogen levels. BC and its oncological management have a negative effect on bone health, leading to accelerated bone loss. It is considered the most common long-term adverse event. The decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) is mainly related to two factors: the onset of hypogonadism due to chemotherapy or endocrine therapies and bone loss related to menopause. These are responsible for the appearance of osteopenia or osteoporosis (OP) and, as a consequence, fragility fractures. BC is a common condition that is often cured, and the effects on bone health are important in survivors, as they are at risk of fractures that affect the quality of life; the incidence of osteopenia is an early indicator of bone loss and OP in BC [2-4] survivors. Osteopenia and osteoporosis, systemic skeletal conditions associated with varying degrees of bone loss, are prevalent in postmenopausal BC survivors; up to 80% have a loss in BMD, leading to morbidity due to pain, fractures, and death. Osteopenia is diagnosed with lower-than-average BMD, while OP is characterized by both low BMD and architectural deterioration of bone tissue. Among BC survivors, BC-related risk factors for osteopenia and OP include both treatment and premature menopause. Importantly, the excess risk of osteopenia and OP in BC survivors, particularly those of a younger age, relative to women without BC remains unknown. Osteopenia and osteoporosis are prevalent in the general population. In women ≥ 50 years old, 15.4% have OP and 51.4% have low BMD in the EE.UU. It is estimated that 1 in 2 women will be at risk of suffering an OP-related fracture during their lifetime. In women without BC, bone density loss is associated with advanced age, menopause-induced estrogen deficiency, low body weight, sedentary lifestyle, excessive alcohol consumption, hereditary family history of bone fracture, smoking, low calcium intake, and vitamin D deficiency. BMD loss in BC survivors is due to similar risk factors, in addition to effects related to cancer management, when compared to women without BC [5-8].
Impact of Breast Cancer And Its Treatment on Bone Health
Bone health is important for overall health and wellness, and even more so for BC patients and survivors. BC survivors had a 68% higher risk of OP and osteoporosis compared to women without BC [9]. There is a very strong link between BC and its treatment, with the involvement of the bone system and fracture risk. First of all, women with BC are usually postmenopausal with low BMD, even before starting oncological management. The vast majority begin treatment for BC often in the menopausal transition, with major hormonal changes that are associated with accelerated bone loss and an increased risk of fractures during treatment, as well as throughout your life, in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. In the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study, BC survivors had a 15% higher risk of fractures compared to women without BC [10]. Oncological management in the treatment of BC accelerates bone loss and includes chemotherapy, hormone therapy due to hormonal blockage or ablation resulting in hypoestrogenism, hormone therapy for antiestrogen therapy, radiotherapy, and concomitant medications such as corticosteroid therapy; they put patients at risk of OP and fragility fractures that compromise their quality of life and longevity [11-12]. Chemotherapy for BC has been associated with lower BMD in premenopausal and postmenopausal women [2-5]. In premenopausal women, chemotherapy is often associated with ovarian dysfunction due to direct toxicity and interference with follicle maturation, leading to iatrogenic menopause, which occurs about 10 years earlier than it would naturally; 40 to 95% of women undergoing chemotherapy develop premature ovarian failure, depending on the regimen and their age. Premature menopause due to ovarian suppression with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, or cytotoxic chemotherapy decreases circulating estrogen, which accelerates bone resorption and decreases BMD. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists act on gonadotropin receptors in the pituitary gland, reducing estrogen production. The decrease in BMD is in the range of 3-7% in women receiving chemotherapy and 5% with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and and increases by 18-19% during 2 years after bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Short-term fractures are generally low in premenopausal women; these are treated with curative intent, and they are expected to have decades of life expectancy after completing BC therapy, thus making this significant early bone loss disadvantageous in their lives [5-12]. Antiestrogenic therapy, with tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors (AI), has been the mainstay of treatment in BC with positive hormone receptors. Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, has agonist and antagonist effects on the estrogen receptor (ER). It is an estrogen antagonist in the breast regardless of pre- or postmenopausal status, but it is also an estrogen agonist in bone. In postmenopausal women, tamoxifen protects against bone loss,5,6 with a 32% relative risk (RR) reduction in fractures compared with placebo. In contrast, tamoxifen decreases BMD in premenopausal women, even if they maintain regular menstrual cycles [11-12]. AIs such as letrozole, anastrozole, and exemestane block the conversion of androgens to estrogen, primarily in adipose tissue, by inhibiting the aromatase enzyme, thus profoundly lowering serum estrogen levels in postmenopausal women. In premenopausal women, an AI can only be used with surgical or chemical ovarian ablation, since AIs do not affect ovarian estrogen production. In postmenopausal women, adjuvant AIs are superior to tamoxifen and widely used; in these, AIs accelerate bone loss and increase the risk of fracture by about 10% and double (18-20%) after 5 years of treatment. Longer duration of AI therapy is associated with greater increases in fracture risk, with 14% vs 9% in those treated for 10 years vs 5 years, respectively [13-15]. Local radiotherapy interrupts the vascular supply to the bone and directly contributes to hypoxia, which inhibits osteoblast function and increases osteoclastogenesis. Specific bone toxicities related to radiotherapy include bone loss within the radiation field, osteopenia or Op, increased risk of fracture, and avascular necrosis [5-12].
Management of Bone Health In Patients With Breast Cancer Under Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy
All women receiving treatment for BC should be evaluated for their risk of fracture at the onset of hormone therapy, particularly because OP may be a pre-existing condition; there are several specific clinical practice guidelines [14]. A clinical history should be taken completely, and ideally, a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan. Emphasis should be placed on a healthy diet and maintaining a normal weight. Adequate intake of dietary protein and natural antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables, rather than supplements, is recommended. We recommend avoiding excess carbohydrates because women with BC with low hormone therapy may have a higher risk of developing diabetes mellitus, which in itself is a risk factor (for fractures); avoid habits that are harmful to bones, smoking, excessive consumption of caffeine, colored carbonated drinks, and alcohol [5-16]. The foundation for maintaining bone health includes adequate calcium intake (1,000-1,200 mg daily, preferably from food sources, or adding supplements) and vitamin D (800-1,000 units/day for a 25-hydroxycholecalciferol or 25-hydroxyvitamin D level) or cholecalciferol above ng/ml, as recommended for the prevention of falls and op fractures in the general osteoporosis population. Adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D is important to decrease the risk of hypocalcemia and maintain bone mineralization when administering antiresorptive therapies [5-17-18]. Adequate weight-bearing and resistance exercise limits bone loss in postmenopausal women with BC [5], although a reduction in fracture risk has not been demonstrated [4]. Medications that reduce bone resorption, such as bisphosphonates and denosumab, are widely used and indicated in these women to reduce fracture risk. In postmenopausal women with BC receiving AI therapy, oral bisphosphonates (alendronate, ibandronate, and risedronate), when used for up to 5 years, are associated with increases in BMD and reduced risk of fracture 14 The addition of zoledronic acid to standard adjuvant treatments in patients with early BC during a treatment period of 5 years reduces the overall rate of fractures in 6.2% vs. 8.3% of the control group. 5. In postmenopausal women in adjuvant treatment with AI, the initial use of zoledronic acid (4 mg every 6 months) or later use increased BMD, but fracture rates were not statistically different with treatment [5-20]. Denosumab, 60mg every 6 months, is approved for women taking AIs at high risk for fracture. Op time to first clinical fracture was shown to decrease with denosumab, regardless of baseline BMD or age, and was associated with increased BMD at all skeletal sites [5-21].
Bone Assessment In Postmenopausal Women With Breast Cancer
The most important thing is the baseline measurement of BMD together with the presence of certain comorbidities that can affect adherence to treatment or increase the risk of adverse events. According to the clinical practice guidelines, medical treatment is recommended in patients with a T-score less than -2.0 or if there are two or more clinical risk factors, including geripausia (> 65 years), low body mass index (BMI < 20), smoking (current or history), personal history of fracture after 50 years of age, hereditary-family history of hip fracture, corticosteroid therapy > 6 months, and T-score less than -1.5 [14-22]. When T-scores are greater than -2.0 without other RFs, follow-up of bone loss every 1-2 years is reasonable [14], and treatment of premenopausal women with antiresorptive therapy is supported if they have undergone ovarian suppression and are receiving AI with a T-score less than -1.0 or with a prevalent vertebral fracture [5]. In some comorbidities some therapies are not used; for example, bisphosphonates in kidney disease or oral bisphosphonates in severe gastroesophageal reflux disease or dysphagia. Adherence to oral medications is a challenge in the treatment of OP in general. The anabolic agents teriparatide and abaloparatide and estrogen-containing agents should be avoided in patients with BC because they may stimulate the growth of occult or micrometastatic tumor cells and increase the risk of recurrence of BC, a possible increased risk of osteosarcoma in areas exposed to skeletal radiotherapy. No data are available regarding the efficacy and safety of a combined anabolic and antiresorptive anti-sclerostin antibody (romosozumab) in women with BC [5-26].
Risks And Benefits of Bone Health Management In Breast Cancer
A meta-analysis in postmenopausal women with early BC and use of bisphosphonates 5 was associated with a significant decrease in the risk of recurrence, distant recurrence, bone recurrence, and mortality from BC, and the use of adjuvant bisphosphonates is recommended in these patients who have a high risk of BC recurrence [23]; its exact mechanism is unknown. The addition of denosumab to AI and possible anticancer effects reduced the risk of BC recurrence by 18% [5]. However, in high-risk early BC receiving neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy, adjuvant denosumab (12 mg every 6 months) did not show an effect on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival; denosumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds to and inhibits the RANKL receptor activator (TNFSF11) and could affect the biology of BC and could delay bone metastasis or disease recurrence [24]. Bone-directed therapies are very effective in reducing the risk of fractures and, at the same time, are very well tolerated with minimal and generally reversible adverse events [5-11- 22], their risk-benefit ratio is highly favorable, regardless of the extremely rare adverse events such as osteonecrosis of the jaw or atypical femoral fractures is associated with other RF such as poor dental and oral hygiene, use of dentures, vi- tamin D deficiency, corticosteroid therapy or invasive dental procedures such as extractions and post-insertion implants, good oral hygiene and routine dental care are recommended [5-11-13,25]; atypical subtrochanteric femoral fractures may limit the duration of bisphosphonate treatment due to their accumulation in the skeleton, requiring temporary suspen- sion and monitoring for prodromal symptoms that usually precede these fractures [26]. The concern is the increased risk of fracture after denosumab discontinuation; although when evaluating the protective effect of the use of bisphosphonate after denosumab, it is the current common practice [5-32].
Discussion
Better survival in patients with BC and a better understandingof its carcinogenesis have made bone health key in cancer management. Patients with BC are usually at risk of complications in the skeletal system. The receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) inhibitor denosumab and the bisphosphonate zoledronic acid for prevention are approved at lower doses for the treatment of patients with postmenopausal OP, early-stage BC, and weight loss. bone marrow induced by its treatment, mainly caused by AI. Treatment of patients with BC survival is prolonged, and long-term treatment with denosumab or bisphosphonates requires safety to be considered [26]. The most common cause of bone loss in women is menopause and aging; the risk of osteopenia and OP is higher in women diagnosed with hormone receptor-positive BC, which is probably due to HT rather than differences in the biology of BC; in BC survivors treated with AI alone or chemotherapy plus AI, they block the aromatase enzyme, resulting in a hypoestrogenic state associated with bone loss; although chemotherapy causes bone loss due to premature menopause in premenopausal women [5-21]. Furthermore, drugs commonly prescribed together with chemotherapy (corticosteroids) are associated with bone loss. it is biologically possible that adjuvant Cht plus Ht have a deleterious effect on bone health early in treatment, and incident osteopenia and OP are significantly higher in premenopausal pausal women surviving BC a few years after diagnosis than in women without BC. the risk varies according to cancer treatment. An initial evaluation of BMD and fracture risk close to the diagnosis of BC, prevention strategies, and appropriate monitoring can be implemented early and are crucial to prevent fracture risk in order to simultaneously improve quality of life [7-32].
Conclusions
Younger BC survivors are at increased risk of osteopenia and OP compared to women without BC. In general, the benefits of antiresorptive agents in women with BC, as well as in the general population of women with OP, greatly outweigh the risks.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
