Osteoporosis drugs could prevent some breast, lung and colon cancers

The most commonly used medications for osteoporosis – bisphosphonates – may also prevent certain kinds of lung, breast and colon cancers, according to two studies highlighted in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Bisphosphonates have previously been associated with slowed tumour growth in some people but the mechanism behind these patterns was unknown. In the new studies, an international research team showed that bisphosphonates block the abnormal growth signals passed through the human EGF receptors, including the forms of this protein family that make some tumours resistant to treatments.
“Our study reveals a newfound mechanism that may enable the use of bisphosphonates in the future treatment and prevention of the many lung, breast and colon cancers,” says lead author, Prof Mone Zaidi. “Having already been approved by the FDA as effective at preventing bone loss, and having a long track record of safety, these drugs could be quickly applied to cancer if we can confirm in clinical trials that this drug class also reduces cancer growth in people. It would be much more efficient than starting drug design from scratch.”
But while the findings are exciting, clinical trials are needed to see if bisphosphonates can be used in people with cancer.
“Pharmaceutical companies are unlikely to pay for research to develop generic drugs where there is no chance of patent protection or profit, so we will be looking for a non-traditional funding source, perhaps the federal government,” hopes Prof Zaidi.

Image credit: Umberto Salvagnin