Positive Effect of Teriparatide on Areal Bone Mineral Density in Young Women with Anorexia Nervosa: A Pilot Study

The present pilot study investigated the effect of Teriparatide 1-34 rh-PTH (TPT) in young women diagnosed with anorexia nervosa (AN), and markedly compromised Bone Mineral Density (BMD). Patients were included who had (i) very low BMD (defined as Z-Score <  - 2.5 or T-Score <  - 2.5 if available) in at least one of the assessed localizations (lumbar spine L1-L4, total hip, femoral neck) without any previous fragility fracture; or (ii) low bone mineral density (defined as Z-Score <  - 1.5 or T-Score <  - 1.5 if available) in at least one of the assessed localizations (lumbar spine L1-L4, total hip, femoral neck) and at least one previous fragility fracture. Ten patients with an age range of 21-33 were recruited and their bone outcome was assessed after 12, 18, and 24 months. After 24 months of TPT treatment, BMD improved by 13.5% in the spine, 5.0% in the femoral neck, and 4.0% in the hip. Radius cortical bone density (- 2.6%) and radius cortical thickness (- 6.4%) decreased significantly, while in tibia there was no significant decrease. Neither in radius nor in tibia a significant change in trabecular bone parameters occurred. During the treatment, the patients' body weight did not increase significantly. Patients did not experience severe adverse events; only mild side effects were observed. Although these results emerged from a single-arm prospective study, it seems that AN patients with a severely compromised bone situation can benefit from TPT. Larger studies are needed to ascertain the effect of this promising substance

Hypofractionated radiotherapy for breast cancer acceleration of the START A treatment regime: intermediate tolerance and efficacy

Purpose Prospective evaluation of accelerated hypofractionated radiotherapy (RT) in breast cancer patients treated with 41.6 Gy in 13 fractions plus boost delivered five times a week. Patients and methods Between 03/2009 and 10/2012 98 consecutive patients aged >55 years presenting with breast cancer (invasive cancer: n = 95, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): n = 3) after breast conserving surgery were treated in our institution with the following schedule: 41.6 Gy in 13 fractions 4 times a week and 9 or 12 Gy boost in 3 or 4 fractions (on day 5 each week), cumulative dose: 50.6 Gy in 3.2 weeks or 53.6 Gy in 3.4 weeks, respectively depending on resection status. 56 patients had a T1 tumor, 39 a T2 tumor. N-status was as follows: N0: n = 71, N1: n = 25, N2/3: n = 2. 23 patients (24%) received chemotherapy before RT. A prospectively planned follow-up (FU) visit with objective and subjective assessment of treatment tolerance (questionnaires) was performed 0 and 8 weeks after RT completion, and one, two and four years later, respectively. Results Mean/median follow-up was 32/28 months (range: 12-56). After 2 years local control, loco-regional control and disease-free survival was 100%, 100%, and 98%, respectively. Overall survival was 96% at 2 years. Cosmetic outcome was very good with patients being satisfied or very satisfied in 99% (n = 86/87), 97% (n = 55/57) and 100% (n = 25/25) after one, two and four years after RT, respectively. No grade ≥ 2 pain was described in the 25 patients with a FU of at least 4 years. Fibrosis, telangiectasia and edema were found in 7-15%, 0-22% and 0-11% at one, two, and four years, respectively, and are comparable to other trials. Conclusion The applied hypofractionated RT regime with single doses of 3.2 Gy plus boost doses of 9-12 Gy in 3–4 fractions applied in 5 sessions a week was effective and well tolerated on intermediate term FU