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The effects of high-dose calcitriol and individualized exercise on bone metabolism in breast cancer survivors on hormonal therapy: a phase II feasibility trial

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Abstract

Introduction

Cancer treatment-induced bone loss (CTIBL) is a long-term side effect of breast cancer therapy. Both calcitriol and weight-bearing exercise improve bone metabolism for osteoporotic patients, but are unproven in a breast cancer population. We used a novel high-dose calcitriol regimen with an individualized exercise intervention to improve bone metabolism in breast cancer survivors.

Methods

We accrued 41 subjects to this open label, 2 × 2 factorial, randomized feasibility trial. Breast cancer survivors were randomized to receive the following: (1) calcitriol (45 micrograms/week), (2) individualized exercise with progressive walking and resistance training, (3) both, or (4) a daily multivitamin (control condition) for 12 weeks. Primary outcomes included changes in biomarkers of bone formation, bone resorption, and the bone remodeling index, a composite measure of bone formation and resorption. Safety measures included clinical and biochemical adverse events. A main effect analysis was used for these endpoints.

Results

Hypercalcemia was limited to three grade I cases with no grade ≥ 2 cases. Among exercisers, 100% engaged in the prescribed aerobic training and 44.4% engaged in the prescribed resistance training. Calcitriol significantly improved bone formation (Cohen’s d = 0.64; p < 0.01), resulting in a non-significant increase in the bone remodeling index (Cohen’s d = 0.21; p = 31). Exercise failed to improve any of the bone biomarkers.

Conclusions

Both calcitriol and exercise were shown to be feasible and well tolerated. Calcitriol significantly improved bone formation, resulting in a net increase of bone metabolism. Compliance with the exercise intervention was sub-optimal, which may have led to a lack of effect of exercise on bone metabolism.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery and Orthopaedics, University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), 265 Crittenden Blvd, CU 420658, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA

    Luke J. Peppone

  2. Department of Radiation Oncology, URMC, Rochester, NY, USA

    Marilyn Ling

  3. Department of Medicine, URMC, Rochester, NY, USA

    Alissa J. Huston

  4. Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA

    Mary E. Reid

  5. Department of Surgery, URMC, Rochester, NY, USA

    Michelle C. Janelsins, Charles Kamen, Matthew Asare, Anita R. Peoples & Karen M. Mustian

  6. Department of Orthopaedics, URMC, Rochester, NY, USA

    J. Edward Puzas

  7. Department of Hematology and Oncology, ABC Foundation School of Medicine, Sao Paolo, Brazil

    Auro del Giglio

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  1. Luke J. Peppone
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  11. Karen M. Mustian
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Luke J. Peppone.

Ethics declarations

This study was reviewed and approved by the URMC Research Subjects Review Board (RSRB). All research participants gave written informed consent.

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Financial support

R25-CA102618, K07-CA168911.

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Peppone, L.J., Ling, M., Huston, A.J. et al. The effects of high-dose calcitriol and individualized exercise on bone metabolism in breast cancer survivors on hormonal therapy: a phase II feasibility trial. Support Care Cancer 26, 2675–2683 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4094-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4094-4

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