An experimental most cancers drug may cease osteoporosis and assist ladies keep slim after the menopause – in line with new analysis from the College of East Anglia.
A examine revealed at present reveals {that a} compound initially designed to struggle most cancers might not solely shield in opposition to osteoporosis – however may additionally scale back physique fats and reverse a number of the metabolic adjustments linked to menopause.
The drug, referred to as CADD522, was developed to dam a protein which helps drive the expansion and unfold of a number of cancers.
However scientists discovered the remedy appeared to strengthen bones in post-menopausal mice whereas additionally serving to them keep leaner.
Lead researcher Dr Darrell Green, from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, mentioned: “Osteoporosis impacts round one in three ladies over the age of fifty, leaving victims susceptible to painful fractures that may severely influence high quality of life.
“Present remedies exist, however many are suffering from unintended effects, security issues or inconvenient dosing schedules that make long-term use tough.
“We’ve uncovered a wholly new means of tackling the illness.
“We discovered {that a} drug initially developed to cease most cancers may assist thousands and thousands of girls going through the dual problem of fragile bones and midlife weight acquire.
“We hope our work may result in a brand new technology of osteoporosis remedies that deal with bone loss whereas additionally addressing a number of the wider metabolic penalties of menopause.”
How the analysis occurred
Researchers used mice that had undergone surgical procedure to imitate the hormonal adjustments seen after menopause.
Animals handled with CADD522 for eight weeks confirmed important enhancements in bone well being. Scans revealed elevated bone quantity and higher preservation of the fragile honeycomb-like constructions inside bones which might be essential for energy and resilience.
Blood assessments steered the drug stimulated new bone progress, whereas not interfering with the physique’s regular strategy of breaking down and rebuilding bone.
Dr Inexperienced mentioned: “That is significantly vital as a result of many current osteoporosis medication work by suppressing bone loss, which may typically result in issues when used for lengthy intervals.
“However the greatest shock got here once we regarded past bone well being.
“The mice receiving CADD522 weighed lower than their untreated counterparts regardless of consuming the identical quantity of meals.
“In addition they had much less physique fats and fewer fats deposits accumulating inside their bone marrow – a course of that’s generally seen after menopause and is linked to declining bone well being.”
The workforce additionally examined mind tissue and located the drug appeared to reverse a number of menopause-related adjustments in fatty acids.
Ranges of useful omega-3 fat, together with DHA, remained largely intact, whereas a lot of different lipid abnormalities shifted again in direction of more healthy patterns.
Dr Inexperienced mentioned: “We didn’t immediately check for reminiscence or pondering capacity, however our work raises questions on whether or not this drug may in the future assist deal with wider menopause-related well being issues.”
The remedy’s prospects as a future medication additionally acquired a lift from security testing.
Experiments in mice, rats and canine discovered CADD522 could possibly be taken orally and was effectively tolerated.
The workforce additionally discovered the drug seemed to be metabolised extra slowly in human tissue than in rodents, doubtlessly bettering its efficiency in individuals.
“That is nonetheless within the early levels and has up to now solely been examined in animals however we hope that the advantages will translate to people to in the end scale back fracture charges,” added Dr Inexperienced.
Reference: Ersek A, Kim MS, Suelzu C, et al. RUNX2 inhibitor CADD522 improves bone microarchitecture and lipid metabolism in post-menopausal bone loss. NPJ Drug Discov. 2026;3(1):38. doi: 10.1038/s44386-026-00076-z
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