University of East Anglia researchers find cancer drug CADD522 may combat menopause effects

Researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA) have discovered that the experimental cancer drug CADD522 may offer significant benefits for managing menopause-related health issues. Originally designed to block proteins responsible for the growth and spread of several types of tumors, the drug demonstrated unexpected secondary effects during studies on mouse models of menopause.

In these experiments, CADD522 was found to strengthen bone density and promote the formation of new bone tissue, potentially offering a new way to combat osteoporosis. Additionally, the treatment appeared to reduce body fat and help maintain a leaner physique by reversing certain metabolic changes typically associated with menopause, even when caloric intake remained constant.

Lead author Dr. Darrell Green noted that osteoporosis affects approximately one in three women over the age of 50, often leading to painful fractures and reduced quality of life. While current therapies exist, they are frequently limited by side effects or inconvenient dosing schedules. The researchers hope these findings will lead to a new generation of therapies that address both bone loss and metabolic consequences, though clinical trials in humans are required to confirm efficacy and safety.