[Three Cases of Locally Advanced Breast Cancer with Skin Invasion Treated with Cadexomer Iodine for Local Control].

Advanced breast cancer with skin invasion are relatively often accompanied by bleeding, effusion, malodor, and pain, which reduce the quality of life(QOL)of the patients and their families. Therefore, local symptom control is as important as surgical treatment and chemotherapy. We control these symptoms by using cadexomer iodine, cadexomer iondine is expensive, but relatively easy for family to use and keep patients' QOL.

Usefulness of the Palliative Prognostic Index in Predicting Prognosis when Considering the Transition from Hospital to Home Care in Patients with Terminal Stage Cancer.

BACKGROUND: No accurate prognostic tool is available for patients with cancer who spend their final days at home. In this study, we examined whether performance status (PS) and the palliative prognostic index (PPI), a well-known prognostic tool in palliative care units, could be used to predict prognosis in the home care setting at the time of intervention by home physicians. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Using medical records, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 132 patients who were referred to the Home Clinic Naginoki for home care for terminal stages of carcinoma in situ. Based on the status at the time of the first visit, the PPI-Low group was defined as those scoring six or below and the PPI-High group as those scoring greater than six. RESULTS: The PPI-high group had a significantly poorer prognosis within 21 days than the PPI-low group (21-day-OS; Low 71.4% vs. High 13.2%; p<0.001). The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) PS alone predicted better prognosis in the group with PS of one or two (21-day survival 90.1%), and the PPI score further significantly stratified the prognosis for patients with PS three or four, with a trend toward poor prognosis (p ≤ 0.005). CONCLUSION: ECOG PS 1 or 2 has a favorable prognosis and that using PPI in ECOG PS 3 or 4 leads to a more accurate prognosis prediction. PPI evaluated during the hospital-based treatment of patients with terminal cancer can also be used to predict prognosis if the patient is transitioned to a home care environment.

IL-1ß may be an indicator of peritoneal deterioration after healing of peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an essential lifesaving treatment for end-stage renal disease. However, PD therapy is limited by peritoneal inflammation, which leads to peritoneal membrane failure because of progressive peritoneal deterioration. Peritonitis is the most common complication in patients undergoing PD. Thus, elucidating the mechanism of chronic peritoneal inflammation after PD-associated peritonitis is an urgent issue for patients undergoing PD. This first case report suggests that an increased interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) expression in the peritoneal dialysate after healing of peritonitis can contribute to peritoneal deterioration. CASE PRESENTATION: A 64-year-old woman was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus 10 years ago and had been started on PD for end-stage renal disease. One day, the patient developed PD-associated acute peritonitis and was admitted to our hospital for treatment. Thus, treatment with antimicrobial agents was initiated for PD-associated peritonitis. Dialysate turbidity gradually disappeared after treatment with antimicrobial agents, and the number of cells in the PD fluid decreased. After 2 weeks of antimicrobial therapy, peritonitis was clinically cured, and the patient was discharged. Thereafter, the patient did not develop peritonitis; however, residual renal function tended to decline, and peritoneal function also decreased in a relatively short period. We evaluated pro-inflammatory cytokine levels before and after PD-associated peritonitis; interestingly, the levels of IL-1ß remained high in the PD fluid, even after remission of bacterial peritonitis. In addition, it correlated with decreased peritoneal function. CONCLUSIONS: This case suggests that inflammasome-derived pro-inflammatory cytokines may contribute to chronic inflammation-induced peritoneal deterioration after PD-related peritonitis is cured.

Metastable atomic-ordered configurations for Al1/2Ga1/2N predicted by Monte-Carlo method based on first-principles calculations.

Metastability of Aln/12Ga1-n/12N (n= 2-10: integer) with the 1-2 monolayer (ML) in-plane configuration towards thec[0001] direction has been demonstrated recently. To theoretically explain the existence of these metastable structures, relatively large calculation cells are needed. However, previous calculations were limited to the use of small calculation cell sizes to estimate the local potential depth (Δσ) of ordered Al1/2Ga1/2N models. In this work, we were able to evaluate large calculation cells based on the interaction energies between proximate Al atoms (δEAl-Al) in AlGaN alloys. To do this,δEAl-Alvalues were estimated by first-principles calculations (FPCs) using a (5a1× 5a2× 5c) cell. Next, a survey of the possible ordered configurations using various large calculation cell models was performed using the estimatedδEAl-Alvalues and the Monte-Carlo method. Then, various Δσvalues were estimated by FPCs and compared with the configurations previously reported by other research groups. We found that the ordered configuration obtained from the (4a1× 2a2× 1c) calculation cell (C42) has the lowest Δσof -9.3 meV/cation and exhibited an in-plane configuration at thec(0001) plane having (-Al-Al-Ga-Ga-) and (-Al-Ga-) sequence arrangements observed along them11-00planes. Hence, we found consistencies between the morphology obtained from experiment and the shape of the primitive cell based on our numerical calculations.

Activation of the inflammasome drives peritoneal deterioration in a mouse model of peritoneal fibrosis.

During peritoneal dialysis (PD), the peritoneum is exposed to a bioincompatible dialysate, deteriorating the tissue and limiting the long-term effectiveness of PD. Peritoneal fibrosis is triggered by chronic inflammation induced by a variety of stimuli, including peritonitis. Exposure to PD fluid alters peritoneal macrophages phenotype. Inflammasome activation triggers chronic inflammation. First, it was determined whether inflammasome activation causes peritoneal deterioration. In the in vivo experiments, the increased expression of the inflammasome components, caspase-1 activity, and concomitant overproduction of IL-1ß and IL-18 were observed in a mouse model of peritoneal fibrosis. ASC-positive and F4/80-positive cells colocalized in the subperitoneal mesothelial cell layer. These macrophages expressed high CD44 levels indicating that the CD44-positive macrophages contribute to developing peritoneal deterioration. Furthermore, intravital imaging of the peritoneal microvasculature demonstrated that the circulating CD44-positive leukocytes may contribute to peritoneal fibrosis. Bone marrow transplantation in ASC-deficient mice suppressed inflammasome activation, thereby attenuating peritoneal fibrosis in a high glucose-based PD solution-injected mouse model. Our results suggest inflammasome activation in CD44-positive macrophages may be involved in developing peritoneal fibrosis. The inflammasome-derived pro-inflammatory cytokines might therefore serve as new biomarkers for developing encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis.

[Adjuvant Capecitabine for Residual Disease after Standard Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Among Patients with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer].

CREATE-X trial demonstrated the effectiveness of additional capecitabine therapy in prolonging disease-free survival among patients who are HER2 negative, especially those with triple-negative breast cancer who had residual invasive disease after standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We investigated our data regarding adjuvant capecitabine for residual disease. Ten patients were enrolled, and the average age of the patients was 54.2 years. All patients completed 8 courses of treatment; all adverse events were Grade 2 or lower. Five-year disease-free survival rate was 70.0% in an average observation period of 40.9 months. Three patients recurred within 2 years, and all patients had brain metastasis. In the CREATE-X trial, the rate of disease-free survival was 69.8% in the capecitabine group versus 56.1% in the control group; our results were same as those of CREATE-X. Brain metastasis may be detected by the early phase of enhanced brain MRI.

Meta-analysis of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel used as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for operable breast cancer based on individual patient data (JBCRG-S01 study).

BACKGROUND: Nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-PTX), a novel taxane formulation, was developed to avoid cremophor/ethanol-associated toxicities including peripheral neuropathy and hypersensitivity. At least 35 phase II studies using combined nab-PTX and anthracycline in neoadjuvant settings are registered in Japan. We analyzed the efficacy and safety of nab-PTX based on patient characteristics in these studies. METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis using individual patient data (IPD) to investigate the average efficacy of nab-PTX-containing regimens as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for operable breast cancer. IPD were provided by principal investigators who agreed to participate. The primary endpoint was pathological complete response (pCR) rate of each breast cancer subtype. RESULTS: We analyzed the data of 16 studies involving 753 patients. The overall crude frequencies of pCR (ypT0 ypN0, ypT0/is ypN0, and ypT0/is ypNX) were 18.1, 26.0, and 28.6%, respectively. Specifically, the frequencies were 6.7, 10.2, and 13.4% for luminal (n = 343); 40.5, 63.5, and 68.9% for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-rich, (n = 74); 21.9, 40.6, and 42.7% for luminal/HER2 (n = 96); and 26.3, 31.5, and 32.3% for triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) (n = 232). The multivariate analyses indicated that HER2 positivity, TNBC, high Ki-67, high nuclear grade, and weekly nab-PTX administration were significantly associated with the pCR. The proportion of hematological toxicities (neutropenia (39.7%) and leukopenia (22.5%)), peripheral sensory neuropathy (9.7%), myalgia (5.7%), and arthralgia (4.7%) was higher than grade 3 adverse events, but most patients recovered. CONCLUSIONS: Nab-PTX is a safe and acceptable chemotherapeutic agent in neoadjuvant settings, particularly for aggressive cancers. UMIN-CTR#: UMIN000028774.

Effect of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with ER + /HER2- breast cancer, assessed by propensity score matching: significance of nuclear grade and nodal status.

BACKGROUND: Survival benefits of chemotherapy (CT) differ among patients with estrogen receptor-positive (ER +) breast cancer. This study investigated the survival benefits of CT for ER + and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer (BC) patients by propensity score matching (PSM). METHODS: Patients with stages I-IIIER + /HER2- BC were enrolled in this study. The primary endpoints were 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in the non-CT and CT groups of the selected population matched by PS. The PS was analyzed by a logistic regression model with factors those influence provided indication of chemotherapy [tumor size, nuclear grade (NG), progesterone receptor, and nodal status]. RESULTS: This study enrolled 895 patients between 2000 and 2015. The median follow-up period was 5.7 years. Overall, the 5-year RFS was 94.3% and 90.1% in the non-CT and CT-treated groups, respectively (p = 0.106). The 5-year OS was 97.5% in the non-CT group and 95.6% in the CT group (p = 0.047). Using PSM, 236 patients were selected. After matching, both the 5-year RFS and the 5-year OS were higher in the CT group than in the non-CT group (96.8% vs. 82.7%, p = 0.003 and 100% vs. 91.9%, p < 0.001, respectively). Particularly in the case of the node negative/NG3 and 1-3 node positive/NG2 patients after PSM, the 5-year RFS was significantly higher in the CT group than in the non-CT group (p = 0.041 and p = 0.006, respectively). CONCLUSION: After PSM, CT significantly improved both the RFS and OS of ER + / HER2- BC patients, especially for node negative/NG3 and 1-3 node positive/NG2 patients.

[Uncertainty Evaluation and Internal Quality Control of ELISA Test for Food Allergens (in Egg and Milk) Using Control Samples].

We evaluated measurement uncertainty and performed internal quality control of an ELISA test for allergens in egg and milk, using control samples. For the evaluation of measurement uncertainty, the following three important factors were identified: 1) Differences in test-kit lots, 2) Different-day reproducibility, 3) Same-time reproducibility. A three-stage nested design was used, and the combined standard uncertainty of the three factors mentioned above was calculated based on the results obtained. Measurement uncertainty was defined as the expanded uncertainty obtained by multiplying the combined standard uncertainty by a coverage factor of two. As a result, the expanded uncertainty of egg was 1.9 µg/g when the total egg protein concentration was 13.4 µg/g, and the expanded uncertainty of milk was 1.8 µg/g when the total milk protein concentration was 13.5 µg/g. For the internal quality control, we first set the reference range of the measured value of the control sample, using the obtained combined standard uncertainty as an index. Each control sample was then measured for every test, and we concluded that the test was performed without any errors, when the result of the control sample was within the reference range. Second, the measured values of the control samples were plotted on a graph for continuous monitoring. This enabled us to check whether inspection accuracy was maintained. There were no large chronological changes and no major differences between the standard deviations of the control samples and the combined standard uncertainty in egg or milk. Therefore, it was determined that the dispersion was at an acceptable range and inspection accuracy was maintained.

Breast-conserving surgery without radiation in elderly women with early breast cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Irradiation after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) decreases the incidence of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) and breast cancer-related death. However, daily radiation treatments are burdensome to elderly patients, whose risk of IBTR is relatively low. Since 2001, we have offered BCS without radiation to patients meeting our selection criteria. This study assessed the prognosis of the patients who chose this option. METHODS: Between 2001 and 2014, 203 patients met the selection criteria: aged ≥60 years; pathologically node-negative, hormone-positive breast cancer; a negative surgical margin; and no lymphovascular invasion. Among these patients, 84 and 119 underwent BCS with or without radiation, respectively. IBTR, overall survival (OS), and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) were evaluated. RESULTS: The median follow-up duration was 6.2 years. There were no significant differences in tumor size or the number of patients with adjuvant therapy between the groups. The 5-year IBTR rates were 0.9% and 1.6% in the non-irradiated and irradiated groups, respectively (p = 0.308). The 5-year OS rates were 94.1% and 98.7% (p = 0.391). Similarly, the 5-year BCSS rates were 97.2% and 98.7% (p = 0.812). CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the omission of irradiation could be an option for elderly breast cancer patients who satisfy our criteria.

[Ethinyl Estradiol Therapy for Postmenopausal Women with Heavily Pre-Treated Endocrine-Responsive Metastatic Breast Cancer].

Ethinyl estradiol(EE2)therapy has been reported to be an effective endocrine therapy for postmenopausal hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer, especially in the supposed acquired resistance state. The current study retrospectively investigated the efficacy and safety of EE2 therapy in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer who had previously undergone multiple endocrine therapies. Twelve patients were enrolled; median lines of endocrine therapies were seven before EE2. Median PFS was 4.8 months and median overall survival was 10.0 months. Grade 3 adverse event comprised of anorexia in only one patient. EE2 therapy may be considered effective and safe in hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer even in late-stage endocrine therapy.

[A Case of Breast Carcinoma with Cartilaginous Differentiation and Distant Metastasis with Complete Response to Post-Operative Chemotherapy].

We report a case of breast cancer with cartilaginous differentiation that responded well to chemotherapy, which completely eliminated distant metastasis. A 63-year-old woman visited our hospital complaining of a large hemorrhagic mass measuring 15 cm in diameter with ulceration of the left breast. Palpation revealed swelling of the left axillary and right supraclavicular (SC)lymph nodes, suggesting breast cancer metastasis. A CT scan revealed metastasis in the right lung measuring 2.5 cm in size. She underwent a total mastectomy with axillary dissection. The pathological findings were as follows; breast carcinoma with cartilaginous differentiation accompanied by a single lymph node metastasi(s 1/21)and skin involvement, ly0, v0, ER(-), PgR(-), HER2 0, Ki-67 80%. Four courses of AC therapy were administered as postoperative chemotherapy, which resulted in a decrease in the size of the SC lymph node to 1 cm. Subsequently, 12 courses of weekly paclitaxel yielded a complete response of the lung and SC lymph node metastasis. Oral administration of S-1 after paclitaxel therapy resulted in no recur- rence for 16 months after the operation.

Long-term effect of exemestane therapy on bone mineral density supported by bisphosphonates: Results of 5-year adjuvant treatment in postmenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Unlike anastrozole, the effect of long-term exemestane (EXE) therapy on bone mineral density (BMD) is still unknown. We assessed changes in BMD from baseline to 5 years of EXE treatment. METHODS: Postmenopausal women with endocrine-responsive breast cancer receiving EXE as adjuvant therapy were enrolled in this study. EXE was administered for 5 years. The BMD of the lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and after 6 months and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 years. Oral bisphosphonate (Bis) treatment was initiated when patients were diagnosed with osteoporosis with a T-score of -2.5 or lower. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients were enrolled in the study between 2005 and 2010. The median follow-up period was 54.9 months. Forty-two patients were administered Bis. Overall, the BMD of the LS increased by 7.3% from baseline and that of the FN increased by 3.4% with 5 years of EXE treatment. At the sixth year (i.e. 1 year after the treatment), BMD of the LS increased by 7.2% and that of the FN increased by 5.7%. Furthermore, the BMD of the FN increased by 12.0% in patients treated upfront with Bis and by 1.2% in those not treated with Bis (P = 0.0262). Fractures developed in nine patients (11.1%) and seven (8.6%) had fragility fractures. CONCLUSION: Oral Bis improves BMD of the FN in patients with osteoporosis. Five-year EXE treatment with proper addition of Bis helps maintain the BMD of the LS and FN at the sixth year.

Secondary systemic artery to pulmonary artery and pulmonary vein fistulas following the video-assisted thoracic surgery for pneumothorax: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The systemic artery to pulmonary vessel fistula (SAPVF) is a vascular anomaly characterized by penetration of nonbronchial systemic chest wall arteries into the lung parenchyma. To our knowledge, about 150 cases of SAPVF have been reported to date. Fifteen percent of SAPVF are congenital and occur in the presence of cardiopathy or pulmonary artery hypoplasia. Secondary SAPVF are caused by pleural adhesions that occur subsequent to inflammatory changes associated with conditions such as pleuritis, empyema, trauma, and surgery. Though several cases of secondary SAPVF as a post coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) complication have been reported, secondary SAPVF especially following video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) are relatively rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A 19-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of recurrence of left pneumothorax. His previous history included left and right pneumothorax at the ages of 15 and 16 years, respectively, which were treated by VATS. VATS was planned for the surgical indication of second postoperative recurrence. In the operation, the lingular segment with dilated pulsating pulmonary vessels adhered to the port scar of the chest wall, which was made at first VATS for pneumothorax. The computed tomography showed an abnormal connection between the branch of the systemic artery of the chest wall and the dilated pulmonary artery and pulmonary vein in the lingular segment. Left subclavian selective arteriography also showed hypertrophic blood vessels arose from the internal thoracic artery, the lateral thoracic artery, and the subscapular artery, which drained into the both the pulmonary artery and the pulmonary vein in the lingular segment. Despite of four sessions of embolization for aberrant arteries, the abnormal blood flow persisted. Partial resection of the left lingular segment was therefore performed. The patient has been disease-free about SAPVF for 2 years and 2 months after the last operation. CONCLUSIONS: We described our experience with a case of secondary SAPVF that was associated with fistulas between a systemic artery and both the pulmonary artery and pulmonary vein, which was developed after first VATS for pneumothorax. Radical resection was safely performed and effective after four sessions of embolization.

[HER2-Positive Breast Cancer with Severe Infusion Reaction to Pertuzumab plus Trastuzumab-A Case Report].

A 64-year-old woman detected a tumor in her left breast in July 2015, and the tumor became exposed and ulcerated in January 2016. Subsequently, the tumor began to bleed, and the patient was admitted to our hospital on an emergency basis in March 2016. A CT scan revealed the presence of a giant tumor in the left breast, accompanied by chest wall infiltration, left axillary lymph node metastasis, and multiple liver and bone metastases. Following needle biopsy, the specimen was diagnosed as Luminal-HER2-type invasive ductal carcinoma, and pertuzumab plus trastuzumab plus docetaxel was administered. Upon administration of 2/3 of the pertuzumab, the patient developed chills. Therefore, the administration rate was reduced; however, the patient experienced palpitations, nausea, tachycardia, and decreased blood pressure at the end of the administration. Pertuzumab was temporarily discontinued, a replenisher was infused, and the symptoms improved within approximately 20 minutes. However, the patient again experienced chills, tachycardia, and decreased blood pressure immediately after reinitiating trastuzumab administration and complained of strong pain at the tumor site. Continuation of chemotherapy was deemed dangerous, and administration was discontinued. It has been reported that infusion reactions to trastuzumab are associated with clinical stage. In this case, the symptoms of the infusion reaction were severe because of the large tumor volume. It is necessary to consider administration of premedication and the administration time of anti-HER2 drugs in cases with high tumor burden such as the current case.

[Bevacizumab plus Paclitaxel Therapy Was Effective for Metastatic Breast Cancer with Dysphagia Due to Mediastinal Lymph Node Metastasis-A Case Report].

A 69-year-old woman noticed a tumor of the right breast, and presented to our hospital with dysphagia. A tumor of size 10 cm exposed to the skin and swollen axillary lymph node were observed. She was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, luminal-B by core-needle biopsy. CT scan revealed primary breast cancer with lung, bone, and lymph node metastasis. Endoscopic and fluoroscopic findings of the esophagus showed severe stenosis by extrinsic compression. In order to improve the quality of life(QOL)immediately, bevacizumab plus paclitaxel therapy was initiated. After the first course, the dysphagia improved, and she was able to take normal meals after 2 courses of treatment. Primary tumor and metastatic lesions had remarkably shrunk on CT scan. After 4 courses of treatment, we changed to endocrine therapy and continued outcome treatment. Bevacizumab was effective for immediate improvement of QOL in such as an oncologic emergent case of metastatic breast cancer.

[Treatment Out Come of Eribulin in Patients with Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer Who Resistant to Anthracycline and Taxane].

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective observational study contains advanced or metastatic breast cancer female patients who pretreated with anthracycline and/or taxane received eribulin(ERI)mesylate. The primary endpoint was the progressionfree survival(PFS)and secondary endopoints were objective response rate(ORR), clinical benefit rate(CBR), overall survival (OS), and post-progression survival(PPS). RESULTS: A total of 32 patients underwent chemotherapy cycles(median 3; range 1-9 cycles). The ORR was 15.6% and the CBR was 31.3%. The median PFS, OS and PPS were 2.9 months, 8.5 months, 5.6 months respectively. The OS, PPS for relative dose intensity(RDI)<85% and RDI≥85% were 7.2 months, 3.4 months and 14.5 months, 11.4 months, respectively(p=0.005, 0.004). In multivariate analysis for OS and PPS, the visceral disease, total dose of ERI and RDI correlated with OS and PPS. The most frequent treatment-related Grade 3/4 adverse events was neutropenia( 56%). No Grade 3 and 4 peripheral sensory neuropathy was occurred. CONCLUSIONS: ERI exhibited efficacy and tolera- bility in patients with heavily pretreated A/MBC. The total dose and RDI of ERI would induce favorable effect for prognosis.

[Ethinylestradiol Following Everolimus plus Exemestane Was Effective in Postmenopausal Endocrine-Responsive Metastatic Breast Cancer - A Case Report].

A 71-year-old woman diagnosed with left breast cancer underwent mastectomy and axillary dissection in 1987. Pathological findings showed invasive ductal carcinoma that was ER and PgR positive and HER2 negative.5 -FU and tamoxifen were administered for 2 years as adjuvant therapy.Bone metastasis was found in 2002, and endocrine therapy was started, using anastrozole, exemestane, letrozole, medroxyprogesterone acetate, and fulvestrant.However, liver, lung, pleural, penetiral, and lymph-node metastases were observed, and the following chemotherapy regimen was administered: CAF, capecitabine, paclitaxel, vinorelbine, gemcitabine, methotrexate plus mitomycin C, and eribulin.Then, estrogen therapy with ethinylestradiol( EE2)was started in December 2013.T he pleural effusion disappeared and the liver metastases were reduced.After 11 months of progression-free survival(PFS), regrowth of the liver metastases was seen.Thus, everolimus plus exemestane was administered, and approximately 8 months of PFS was obtained.Therefore, both EE2 and everolimus are effective therapy even for heavily pretreated metastatic breast cancer.

The effect of anastrozole on bone mineral density during the first 5 years of adjuvant treatment in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer.

PURPOSE: The administration of aromatase inhibitors is associated with bone loss in postmenopausal women. We assessed changes in bone mineral density (BMD) from baseline to 60 months of treatment in patients receiving anastrozole as initial adjuvant therapy. METHODS: Postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer receiving anastrozole as adjuvant therapy at our center since 2004 were enrolled in this study. BMD was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and after 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months. Oral bisphosphonate (Bis) treatment was initiated when patients were diagnosed with osteoporosis having a T-score of -2.5 or lower. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients were enrolled in the study between 2004 and 2011, and the mean follow-up period was 53.6 months. Thirty-five patients were administered Bis (risedronate in 27 patients, alendronate in 8 patients). After 6 months of hormone therapy, BMD decreased by 0.5% from baseline at the lumbar spine (LS) and BMD decreased by 1.5% at the femoral neck (FN). However, BMD increased by 1.9% at the LS and BMD decreased by 1.5% at the FN for 60 months of treatment. In patients treated with upfront Bis (n = 19), 5.4% BMD increase from baseline was noted at the LS whereas in those without Bis (n = 21) BMD decreased by 4.3% from baseline within 24 months (P < 0.0001). Fractures were observed in 4 patients (7.3%), and 1 patient (1.8%) had a fragility fracture. CONCLUSIONS: Upfront treatment of Bis with anastrozole significantly increased BMD at the LS and an optimal use of Bis would not increase bone fractures. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN0000017571.