A phase II RCT of high-dose vitamin D supplementation and exercise for cancer treatment-induced bone loss in breast cancer patients on aromatase inhibitors.

11500 Background: Cancer-treatment-induced bone loss (CTIBL) is a side effect of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) and can result in osteoporotic fractures. Vitamin D (VITD) protects against postmenopausal bone loss but it is unclear if the recommended daily allowance (RDA: 600 IU/day) of VITD is sufficient to prevent CTIBL. This phase II RCT aimed to assess the feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of high-dose VITD (with and without exercise) on bone mineral density (BMD) compared to the RDA. Methods: Non-metastatic breast cancer patients starting AIs with low VITD (<32 ng/ml) were randomized 1:1:1 into 3 arms: 1) placebo 2) high-dose VITD (50,000 IU/week) or 3) high-dose VITD + Exercise for Cancer Patients (EXCAP): a home-based, personalized walking and resistance band training program for 24 weeks. All subjects received the RDA of VITD 600 IU/day. Serum VITD and calcium levels were assessed at baseline, weeks 6, 12, 18, and 24. BMD was assessed at the hip via DXA at baseline and week 24. Results: Of the 116 subjects randomized (mean age = 60; 94% white; mean baseline VITD = 24.6 ng/mL), 90 provided fully evaluable data. Compliance (≥ 80% of instructed doses) exceeded 95% in all 3 arms with no between-group difference. ANCOVA showed significant differences between groups on final VITD levels (high-dose = 63.6 vs high-dose + EXCAP = 60.3 vs placebo = 32.0 ng/mL; p<0.001) without severe calcium toxicities, as indicated by final calcium level (high-dose = 9.4 vs high-dose + EXCAP = 9.5 vs placebo = 9.4 ng/mL; p = 0.78). The placebo group lost a significant amount of hip BMD (−1.7%; p < 0.01) while hip BMD was maintained in the high-dose (−0.1%; p = 0.77) and high-dose + EXCAP (−0.2%; p = 0.74) resulting in significant between-group differences for high-dose + EXCAP vs placebo (p = 0.04) and high-dose vs placebo (p = 0.05). Conclusions: This is one of the first studies to show our novel high-dose VITD intervention, with and without exercise, significantly reduced hip BMD loss in breast cancer patients on AIs. Moreover, high-dose VITD supplementation is safe and feasible in this population. A phase III RCT is needed to confirm these findings. Funding: K07CA168911. Clinical trial information: NCT01419730.

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HIGH-DOSE VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTATION AND EXERCISE FOR CANCER-TREATMENT-INDUCED BONE LOSS IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS ON AROMATASE INHIBITORS: A PHASE II RCT

10.26226/morressier.5cdbe0a9618793e647b125f3 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Luke Peppone

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Bone Loss ◽

Cancer Treatment ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Aromatase Inhibitors ◽

Vitamin D Supplementation ◽

High Dose ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

High Dose Vitamin

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Cancer Treatment–Induced Bone Loss (CTIBL): State of the Art and Proper Management in Breast Cancer Patients on Endocrine Therapy

Current Treatment Options in Oncology ◽

10.1007/s11864-021-00835-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Anna Diana ◽

Francesca Carlino ◽

Emilio Francesco Giunta ◽

Elisena Franzese ◽

Luigi Pio Guerrera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Bone Loss ◽

Cancer Treatment ◽

Endocrine Therapy ◽

Aromatase Inhibitors ◽

Bone Health ◽

Optimal Time ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Antiresorptive Agents

Opinion statementAbout 70–80% of early breast cancer (BC) patients receive adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) for at least 5 years. ET includes in the majority of cases the use of aromatase inhibitors, as upfront or switch strategy, that lead to impaired bone health. Given the high incidence and also the high prevalence of BC, cancer treatment–induced bone loss (CTIBL) represents the most common long-term adverse event experimented by patients with hormone receptor positive tumours. CTIBL is responsible for osteoporosis occurrence and, as a consequence, fragility fractures that may negatively affect quality of life and survival expectancy. As recommended by main international guidelines, BC women on aromatase inhibitors should be carefully assessed for their fracture risk at baseline and periodically reassessed during adjuvant ET in order to early detect significant worsening in terms of bone health. Antiresorptive agents, together with adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D, should be administered in BC patients during all course of ET, especially in those at high risk of osteoporotic fractures, as calculated by tools available for clinicians. Bisphosphonates, such as zoledronate or pamidronate, and anti-RANKL antibody, denosumab, are the two classes of antiresorptive drugs used in clinical practice with similar efficacy in preventing bone loss induced by aromatase inhibitor therapy. The choice between them, in the absence of direct comparison, should be based on patients’ preference and compliance; the different safety profile is mainly related to the route of administration, although both types of drugs are manageable with due care, since most of the adverse events are predictable and preventable. Despite advances in management of CTIBL, several issues such as the optimal time of starting antiresorptive agents and the duration of treatment remain unanswered. Future clinical trials as well as increased awareness of bone health are needed to improve prevention, assessment and treatment of CTIBL in these long-term survivor patients.

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