Posted by on June 13, 2012 - 1:10pm

The esophageal cancer risk with bisphosphonate bone drugs may be a bigger problem than thought, particularly with use of alendronate (Fosamax), an adverse event surveillance study suggested.  Overall, 128 cases of bisphosphonate-associated esophageal cancer were reported to the FDA's adverse event reporting system (AERS) from 1995 through 2010, Beatrice J. Edwards, MD, of Northwestern University and colleagues found.

That risk appeared disproportionate with alendronate, the group reported in an abstract presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology held in Chicago recently. That particular bisphosphonate accounted for 75% of the esophageal cancers seen with bisphosphonates in the FDA database -- 6.4 times more than with any other drug in the class.

"Our analysis of FDA AERS identifies a larger number of cases of esophageal cancer than previously described, and a significant safety signal with alendronate use," they noted. "Increased awareness and vigilance is needed for patients receiving oral bisphosphonate therapy."

A 2009 FDA analysis had pointed to 23 such cases with alendronate since initial marketing in 1995.   At that time no other oral bisphosphonate had any reports of a link to esophageal cancer in the adverse event reporting database, though a handful of cases with risedronate (Actonel), ibandronate (Boniva), and etidronate (Didronel) had been reported in Europe and Japan.

A subsequent British registry study suggested elevated risk with prolonged use of oral bisphosphonates, but an FDA advisory panel cited a lack of solid evidence.

Edwards' group updated the analysis of adverse event reports received by the FDA by searching the AERS database for terms related to esophageal cancer in combination with all drug names for bisphosphonates over the period from 1996 to 2010.    The esophageal cancer events they found associated with bisphosphonate use were 96 cases with alendronate, 14 with risedronate, 10 with ibandronate, seven with zoledronic acid, and one with pamidronate (Aredia).

Barrett's esophagus was listed in three of the cases, which led the researchers to recommend avoiding oral bisphosphonates for patients with this risk factor for esophageal cancer and also for those with persistent mucosal abnormalities.

"Esophagitis has been associated with oral bisphosphonates," Edwards' group noted. "Erosive esophagitis and persistent mucosal abnormalities have been noted with crystalline material (similar to ground alendronate)."

Posted by on January 31, 2012 - 3:15pm

Experts recommend that older women have regular bone density tests to screen for osteoporosis. But it's been unclear how often to repeat the tests. A study of nearly 5,000 women now reports that patients with healthy bone density on their first test might safely wait 15 years before getting rescreened.

Osteoporosis is a disorder marked by weakened bones and an increased risk of fractures. More than 40 million people nationwide either have osteoporosis or are at increased risk for broken bones because of low bone mineral density (osteopenia). Osteoporosis is often called a “silent disease” because it usually progresses slowly and without symptoms until a fracture occurs. When low bone density is identified early through screening, lifestyle changes and therapies can help protect bone health and reduce the risk of fractures. That's why the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends routine screening of bone mineral density for women ages 65 and older.

To help doctors decide how often to repeat bone density tests in women who don't have osteoporosis at their initial screening, a research team led by Dr. Margaret Gourlay of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill analyzed data on nearly 5,000 women, age 67 or older.  They divided the women divided into 4 groups based on initial bone density tests that were either normal or showed mild, moderate or advanced osteopenia. They were given 2 to 5 bone density tests at varying intervals during the 15-year study period.

As reported in the January 19, 2012, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, the scientists found that less than 1% of women who initially had normal bone mineral density went on to develop osteoporosis during the study. Only 5% of those with mildly low bone density at the start made the transition to osteoporosis. Overall, the data suggest that women in these 2 categories might safely wait about 15 years before being rescreened for osteoporosis.

The scientists also found that about 1 in 10 women with moderate osteopenia at baseline developed osteoporosis within 5 years. For those with advanced osteopenia at the start, about 10% had developed osteoporosis within a year, suggesting that 1-year screening intervals might be advisable for this group.

“If a woman's bone density at age 67 is very good, then she doesn't need to be rescreened in 2 years or 3 years, because we're not likely to see much change,” Gourlay says. “Our study found it would take about 15 years for 10% of women in the highest bone density ranges to develop osteoporosis. That was longer than we expected, and it's great news for this group of women.”

These findings can help guide doctors in their bone screening recommendations. Other risk factors, such age, medications or specific diseases, would also influence screening frequency.
RELATED LINKS:

Osteoporosis:
http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Osteoporosis/default.asp
Osteoporosis: The Bone Thief:
http://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/osteoporosis-bone-thief
Bone Mass Measurement: What the Numbers Mean:
http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Bone_Health/bone_mass_measure.asp
Keeping Bones Strong and Healthy:
http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2010/February/feature1.htm

Source:  NIH Research Matters,  a weekly update of NIH research highlights from the Office of Communications, National Institutes of Health.