Osteoporosis Drugs May Prevent Leukemia From Radiation Treatments, Researchers Say
Bisphosphonates, drugs commonly used to strengthen brittle bones and prevent painful fractures in people with osteoporosis, may also protect users from developing leukemia caused by radiation treatments, new medical research says.
Two compounds in bisphosphonates appear to benefit people who must undergo long-term radiation treatments. One is ethane-1-hydroxy-1, 1-bisphosphonate (EHBP), which is similar to Didronel, the Proctor & Gamble osteoporosis drug also available as generic etidronate. The other is CAPBP, an experimental drug that is similar to the brand name drug Boniva, or ibandronate.
Research conducted at the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute in Bethesda, Maryland found that the compounds prevented mice used in laboratory tests from developing leukemia after receiving high doses of radiation. Leukemia is a common side and toxic effect of long-term radiation exposure.
Human studies have suggested that bisphosphonates may also prevent cancer from spreading to bones and can be effective at removing uranium from the body, researchers said.
Lab Study Has Encouraging Results
In the study, lab mice were exposed to radiation strong enough to cause leukemia. Some of the mice were then injected with the two compounds found in bisphosphonates. Mice exposed to the radiation developed leukemia and died within 110 days, but the animals treated with the compounds lived longer, up to 170 days.
Also, the number of mice who actually developed leukemia after being treated with the compounds was lower than those not treated, researchers said.
Additional study is needed before the laboratory results can be tried in human subjects, but the scientists said their findings are encouraging and did not result in toxic side effects in the treated mice.
The new research could be an important step in addressing a deadly side effect of radiation exposure.
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