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Thursday, 27 December, 2001, 14:38 GMT
Drug tackles cancer and brittle bone
![]() Osteoporosis affects one in three UK women
British scientists have helped develop a new drug which could have a dual role treating osteoporosis and preventing breast cancer.
The team at Hull Royal Infirmary, has collaborated on an international project to produce a hormone treatment for women. The hospital's Centre for Metabolic Bone Disease is one of only three academic institutions carrying out the UK trial of Tibolone, which was developed by the Dutch company Organon. Tibolone uses three hormones - progestogen, oestrogen and androgen.
Hull's team leader, Professor David Purdie, said: "Treating osteoporosis-led fractures presently costs the NHS £1.7bn a year and with the continuing increase in our elderly population, the problem is going to get worse unless something positive is done about it. "We urgently need a safe, reliable and economic treatment for women at risk of osteoporosis, so that fractures may be prevented. Five-year trial "Half of all British women develop osteoporosis by the age of 75 and, although not all of them will fracture, they are at high risk after even a simple fall." About 4,000 people in Europe and the US are involved in the Long term Intervention on Fracture with Tibolone (Lift) trial, which will take five years to complete. The Hull team has been awarded £569,000 for its part in the project.
"Indeed, preliminary evidence is strong enough for a formal trial to see if we have an anti-osteoporosis agent which will also prevent breast cancer." Many women reject HRT because of the higher risk of breast cancer associated with the drug. An agent which acts like an oestrogen, but without the side-effects, would be a significant breakthrough.
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