Bone toxicity and accelerated aging due to childhood cancer treatment

Abstract

Due to the increased survival of children with cancer, research on acute and long-term side effects has become increasingly important to also improve the quality of life for survivors. Bone toxicity and frailty are side effects with considerable associated morbidity and mortality. Our studies have led to new insights into the opportunities to prevent bone toxicity during therapy, have led to improved identification of individuals at high risk of bone toxicity, as well as to newly discovered risk factors for low bone mineral density, fractures, frailty, and sarcopenia in childhood cancer survivors. These results will facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of high-risk individuals, which is an important step towards improving bone strength and preventing fractures and accelerated aging as a result of childhood cancer treatment.