Pharmacologic management of bone-related complications and bone metastases in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer

Abstract

There is a high risk for bone loss and skeletal-related events, including bone metastases, in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Both the disease itself and its therapeutic treatments can negatively impact bone, resulting in decreases in bone mineral density and increases in bone loss. These negative effects on the bone can significantly impact morbidity and mortality. Effective management and minimization of bone-related complications in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer remain essential. This review discusses the current understanding of molecular and biological mechanisms involved in bone turnover and metastases, increased risk for bone-related complications from breast cancer and breast cancer therapy, and current and emerging treatment strategies for managing bone metastases and bone turnover in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

Keywords:

• breast cancer
• bone metastases
• hormone receptor-positive
• bone-related complications
• interventions
• management and management strategies
• estrogen receptor-positive

Acknowledgments

Tricia Newell, PhD, and Matthew Grzywacz, PhD (ApotheCom, Yardley, PA, USA), provided writing and editorial assistance that supported the author in the development of this manuscript. This writing and editorial assistance was funded by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

Disclosure

Denise A. Yardley, MD, serves as a consultant to Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. The author reports no other conflicts of interest in this work.