Review highlights bone health risks linked to modern cancer treatments (& better options)

Medical Xpress / International Osteoporosis Foundation / Calcified Tissue International ^ | June 23, 2025 | Marie Teissonnière et al

[ConservativeMind]

The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) Bone and Cancer Working Group has released a comprehensive review detailing the often under-recognized impact of modern anti-cancer treatments on bone health.

It highlights the need to address cancer treatment-induced bone loss (CTIBL), including in patients undergoing cutting-edge therapies.

The publication provides a review of the bone effects of major anti-cancer therapies currently in use, including newer agents, and discusses their known cellular impacts, effects on bone mineral density (BMD), and fracture incidence by drug category.

Among the key messages:

—Drugs such as glucocorticoids, hormone therapies, antiangiogenic drugs, and immune checkpoint inhibitors show varying degrees of detrimental effects on bone mineral density, fracture risk, or bone cell function. Some, like tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) or proteasome inhibitors, seem to be more protective for bone.

—Even short-term or high-dose intermittent use of medications like dexamethasone can significantly weaken bones and significantly increase the risk of fracture, especially in vulnerable populations such as the elderly or pediatric cancer patients.

—Immunotherapies —heralded for their efficacy in treating previously untreatable cancers—are now linked to increased fracture rates and disruptions in bone remodeling.

—The authors underscore the urgency for clinical trials dedicated to evaluating the bone safety profiles of new anti-cancer drugs, as human data on BMD or fracture risk are scarce or unknown.

—Anti-resorptive agents such as bisphosphonates and denosumab have shown promise in mitigating bone loss, yet are underutilized, particularly in men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy or women receiving aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer.

Professor René Rizzoli stated, "While today's cancer therapies have significantly improved survival, they come with a hidden cost—an increased risk of bone loss and life-altering fragility fractures."

"For this reason, we strongly advocate for a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together oncologists, endocrinologists, and general practitioners to ensure early screening and proactive bone-protective strategies for patients."

[ConservativeMind]

Explore substitutions mentioned above such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), proteasome inhibitors, bisphosphonates, and denosumab. These are better for preserving your bone mass during cancer treatment.

[ConservativeMind]

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[Jane Long]

Look in to repurposed drugs.

They’re having excellent success without harming bones or healthy cells.

And, even improving some conventional cancer treatments.

[reasonisfaith]

Turkey Tail mushroom for cancer treatment:

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https://www.naturalnews.com/025455_coriolus_cancer_supplement.html