Bone drugs reviewed for cancer risk

People taking a popular group of bone-strengthening drugs linked to throat cancer have been advised to continue despite an investigation by America's drug regulator.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating whether bisphosphonate tablets, often prescribed for women with osteoporosis and people with other bone weakening conditions, raised the risk of developing oesophageal cancer.
The regulator said it had not yet reached any conclusions and studies examining the risk factors had so far come up with conflicting results for the drugs.
"At this time, FDA believes that the benefits of oral bisphosphonate drugs in reducing the risk of serious fractures in people with osteoporosis continue to outweigh their potential risks," the regulator said in a statement.
"FDA's review is ongoing and the agency has not concluded that patients taking oral bisphosphonate drugs have an increased risk of oesophageal cancer.
"It is also important to note that oesophageal cancer is rare, especially in women."
Bisphosphonate brands on sale in Australia include Fosamax, Bondronat, Actonel, Didronel, Skelid and Zometa.
The largest studies reviewed by the FDA so far are two British ones involving more than 10,000 patients.
One study found no increase in the risk of oesophageal cancer while the second reported a doubling of the risk of oesophageal cancer among patients who had 10 or more prescriptions of the drugs or who had taken them for more than three years.
The FDA said other external researchers using different patient databases had reported no increase in risk, or a reduced risk.
"Patients should talk with their healthcare professionals about the benefits and risks of taking oral bisphosphonates," the FDA said.
"Patients who take oral bisphosphonates should pay particular attention to the directions for use to minimise any potential adverse events.
"FDA will continue to evaluateall available data supporting the safety and effectiveness of bisphosphonate drugs and will update the public when more information becomes available."