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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
An experimental cancer drug called CADD522 may do double duty for post-menopausal women — strengthening bones and reducing body fat. In mouse studies, the drug improved bone density and structure while keeping weight down, even without changes in food intake. Researchers from the University of East Anglia say it could pave the way for a new generation of osteoporosis treatments.
An experimental cancer drug called CADD522 may do double duty for post-menopausal women — strengthening bones and reducing body fat. Originally designed to block a protein that drives cancer growth, CADD522 is now turning heads for its unexpected benefits in post-menopausal health. Researchers at the University of East Anglia tested the drug in mice that had undergone surgery to mimic menopause-related hormonal changes — and the results were striking.
After eight weeks of treatment, the mice showed improved bone volume and better preservation of the internal bone structures critical for strength. Blood tests suggested the drug actively stimulated new bone growth — a key advantage over many existing osteoporosis therapies that work by simply slowing bone breakdown. Surprisingly, treated mice also weighed less and had lower body fat than untreated counterparts, despite eating the same amount. Brain tissue analysis even hinted at a reversal of menopause-related changes in fatty acid profiles, including preserved omega-3 levels.
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Why it matters: Current osteoporosis treatments come with significant side effects and long-term safety concerns. CADD522 offers a novel mechanism that could simultaneously address bone loss, metabolic changes, and possibly even cognitive effects of menopause — though human trials are still needed.
