Cancer treatments can lead to severe bone density loss, particularly for patients undergoing hormone-blocking therapies for breast cancer.
This trend is critical because bone loss increases the risk of fractures, which can complicate recovery and reduce the quality of life for survivors. Managing bone health alongside oncology care is becoming a priority for multidisciplinary medical teams.
Dr. Azeez Farooki of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center said these impacts during a Cleveland Clinic EMI Live online educational program. Farooki reviewed how cancer therapies affect bone health, focusing on the use of antiresorptive therapy and new anabolic treatments to counteract osteoporosis.
The vulnerability of the skeletal system is particularly high in breast cancer care. Data indicates that up to 80% [1] of breast cancer patients experience bone loss during their treatment process. This systemic decline often requires targeted intervention to prevent permanent skeletal damage.
Medical professionals are now evaluating a wider range of therapeutic options. While antiresorptive therapies have been a standard of care, emerging anabolic treatments aim to actively build bone density rather than simply slowing its loss.
One such development is Entera Bio’s oral anabolic tablet, EB613. This medication is currently undergoing Phase III testing, a process expected to last between 12 and 24 months [2]. The shift toward oral tablets could simplify the administration of osteoporosis care for patients already burdened by complex chemotherapy or hormone regimens.
Farooki said the goal of these educational sessions is to inform clinicians about the latest data and the clinical implications of treatment-induced bone loss. By integrating bone health monitoring into standard cancer protocols, providers can better protect patients from secondary complications.
“Up to 80% of breast cancer patients experience bone loss during treatment.”
The integration of bone-density management into oncology marks a shift toward holistic survivorship. As breast cancer survival rates improve, the long-term side effects of hormone therapies—such as osteoporosis—become more prominent, necessitating the transition from passive bone preservation to active bone regeneration through anabolic therapies.
