Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026
07:20
Studies on the Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Xiaoyao Pills in The Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis in Mice
Published on: August 23, 2024
Long-term raloxifene for postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Robert R Recker1, Bruce H Mitlak, Xiao Ni
1Osteoporosis Research Center, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA.
Current Medical Research and Opinion
|July 27, 2011
Summary
Long-term raloxifene use for osteoporosis effectively reduces fracture risk and invasive breast cancer incidence. Bone mineral density is preserved, and bone turnover markers normalize with sustained treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Bone Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Osteoporosis and invasive breast cancer are chronic conditions requiring long-term treatment.
- Raloxifene 60 mg/day is indicated for extended osteoporosis management (over 3 years).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of raloxifene therapy.
- To assess raloxifene's impact on fracture risk, bone mineral density, bone turnover, and invasive breast cancer incidence over extended periods.
Main Methods:
- Review of available data on long-term raloxifene use.
- New analyses and data from iliac crest bone biopsies after 8 years of raloxifene therapy.
- Key studies included the Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation (MORE) and Continued Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation (CORE).
Main Results:
- Raloxifene demonstrated sustained vertebral fracture risk reduction over 4 years, with similar risk reduction in the fourth year compared to years 0-3.
- Continued treatment preserved bone mineral density (BMD) and lowered bone turnover markers to premenopausal levels.
- Eight-year bone biopsies showed normal bone histology and cellular activity.
- Raloxifene significantly reduced invasive breast cancer risk, with benefits increasing with treatment duration up to 8 years.
Conclusions:
- Long-term raloxifene therapy is effective in reducing fracture risk and invasive breast cancer incidence.
- Sustained raloxifene use maintains BMD and bone quality.
- The benefits of raloxifene in reducing invasive breast cancer risk are duration-dependent.
Related Concept Videos
01:40Bone Remodeling
Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
01:31Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
Osteoclasts are cells responsible for bone resorption and remodeling. They originate from hematopoietic progenitor cells present in the bone marrow. Numerous progenitor cells fuse to form multinucleated cells, each with 10-20 nuclei. A single osteoclast has a diameter of 150 to 200 µM. These cells have ruffled borders that break down the underlying bone tissue and release minerals such as calcium into the blood in bone resorption. Osteoclasts cling to bones with their ruffled edges during bone...