Bone loss drug may help stave off endometrial cancer

Women who use bisphosphonates – drugs that treat osteoporosis and other bone conditions – seem to have about half the risk of developing endometrial cancer as women who do not use the drugs, according to findings in Cancer.

Previous research has found that bisphosphonates reduce the likelihood of some forms of cancer; the new study suggests that endometrial cancer, which arises in the lining of the uterus, can be added to the list.

Bisphosphonates are known to prevent bone loss. And their antitumor effects include the ability to keep tumor cells from multiplying and from invading normal tissues.

Data from 29,254 women was analysed by experts. The bisphosphonates under scrutiny were those that contain nitrogen as these are known to have stronger anticancer activity.

After accounting for age, ethnicity, history of hormone therapy use, smoking status, and body mass index, bisphosphonate users were half as likely to develop endometrial cancer.

“Other studies have shown that bisphosphonates may reduce the risk of certain cancers, but we are the first to show that the risk for endometrial cancer may also be reduced,” explains Dr Sharon Hensley Alford, who is involved in the work. “This study suggests that women who need bone strengthening medications and who have increased risk for endometrial cancer may want to choose the nitrogen form of bisphosphonates because this form may reduce the risk of endometrial cancer.”