Review Highlights Bone Health Risks Associated with Modern Cancer Therapies

A comprehensive review published by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) Bone and Cancer Working Group sheds light on the often-overlooked impact of contemporary cancer treatments on bone health. The study, featured in Calcified Tissue International, emphasizes that recent advances in cancer therapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted treatments like tyrosine kinase inhibitors, have significantly improved patient outcomes but also pose new challenges for bone integrity.

The research, conducted by a global team of 14 experts, highlights that many anti-cancer drugs—particularly glucocorticoids, hormone therapies, and antiangiogenic agents—can negatively affect bone mineral density (BMD), increasing the risk of fractures. Notably, even short-term or high-dose intermittent use of medications like dexamethasone can substantially weaken bones, especially in vulnerable populations such as the elderly or pediatric patients.

Immunotherapies, which have revolutionized cancer treatment, are now linked to disruptions in bone remodeling and higher fracture rates. The review underscores the urgent need for clinical trials that evaluate the bone safety profiles of new anti-cancer drugs, as current data on their long-term effects on BMD or fracture risk is limited.

Fortunately, anti-resorptive treatments like bisphosphonates and denosumab show promise in counteracting treatment-induced bone loss but remain underutilized, especially among men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy and women on aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer.

Leading experts stress the importance of a multidisciplinary approach involving oncologists, endocrinologists, and general practitioners to facilitate early screening and implement proactive bone-protective strategies. As cancer survival improves, addressing these hidden costs of therapy becomes crucial to enhance long-term quality of life for survivors.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-highlights-bone-health-linked-modern.html