New medicine for bone loss?
Meet the Experts
Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. is a medical oncologist specializing in the treatment of breast cancer, dedicated to developing programs that improve the well-being of women treated for breast cancer.
Question from Winter: Please spell the name of a new twice-a-year drug for bone loss.
- Answer —Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H.:
This is denosumab. This is an antibody that targets the receptor of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL), which is involved in bone remodeling. The clinical trial presented of this drug was very promising. Ongoing research is likely to show additional uses of this drug, for example treatment of metastatic disease to bones. At this point, denosumab is not approved in this setting. Other drugs are FDA approved for preventing and treating bone loss, whether it is from chemotherapy-induced menopause, aromatase inhibitors, or osteoporosis or osteopenia not related to cancer and its treatment.
The intravenous drugs approved by the FDA offer a treatment option for people who are not able to tolerate the drugs when they are given as a pill. Many patients try to take the oral medications and develop symptoms such as pain with swallowing or severe heartburn and give up on the medications altogether. Now that we have other options, you have other choices you can talk about with your physician to maintain the health of your bones in the long term.
Another thing you can do to improve the health of your bones is to participate in weight-bearing exercise. Walking may not be enough healthy stress on the bones, and you may want to think about more vigorous activities. Examples would be short spurts of jogging, jumping rope, and weight training. Weight training is particularly effective in preserving bone health. Sufficient amounts of Vitamin D, usually in the form of supplements, and calcium are also important in maintaining bone health.
On December 19, 2007, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Updates from San Antonio 2007. Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. answered your questions and shared the newest research presented at this year's San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.
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