Work

Bone anabolic therapy in breast cancer: is there a role for parathyroid hormone or parathyroid hormone-related protein?

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Bone destruction in breast cancer patients with skeletal metastases significantly compromises quality of life and poses a dual challenge: preserving bone integrity while avoiding tumor stimulation. In this commentary, we discuss preclinical findings by Kane et al. demonstrating that the bone anabolic agent abaloparatide, a parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) analog, increases bone formation in murine models of breast cancer bone metastases without enhancing tumor growth. We review historical concerns over parathyroid hormone/PTHrP analogs and subsequent adjustments in regulatory labels and consider conflicting evidence regarding the role of PTHrP in tumor progression and bone resorption. Limitations of current preclinical models, including the use of immunodeficient mice and early-stage lesions, emphasize the need for further research to validate these findings in more clinically relevant settings. Ultimately, our discussion advocates for carefully designed clinical trials to explore whether bone anabolic strategies may safely and effectively improve skeletal health and quality of life for patients with bone metastases.

Source: JBMR Plus

DOI: 10.1093/jbmrpl/ziaf108

Authors: Hanna Taipaleenmäki, Matthew T Drake

Institutions: LMU Klinikum, Institut für Muskuloskelettale Medizin, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Hospital for Special Surgery

Language: English

Topic: Bone health and treatments

Subfield: Oncology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,888