Cancer Drug Could Help Women Tackle Midlife Weight Gain, Study Finds

Scientists at the University of East Anglia found that the compound CADD522, originally developed as a potential cancer treatment designed to block a protein that helps tumors grow and spread, strengthened bones and reduced body fat in postmenopausal mice despite no changes in food intake. The findings were published in the journal npj Drug Discovery. Lead researcher Darrell Green stated that the lack of body fat accumulation was the most surprising result, whereas they had somewhat expected the findings regarding bone health.

After eight weeks of treatment, scans showed that mice receiving CADD522 had stronger bones than untreated animals, with the drug increasing bone volume and preserving the internal bone structure, while blood tests suggested it encouraged the formation of new bone. The treated mice also weighed less and carried less body fat, including fewer fat deposits inside their bone marrow, compared to untreated animals despite eating the same amount of food. Examination of brain tissue further revealed that menopause-related disruptions in fat metabolism appeared to improve, with levels of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids remaining largely intact.

While the results are promising, researchers caution that the treatment remains in the early stages of development and has so far been tested only on animals. Safety studies in mice, rats, and dogs found the drug was well tolerated and could be taken orally. Researchers also found that CADD522 appears to be broken down more slowly in human tissue than in rodents, potentially improving its effectiveness in people.

If the treatment eventually proves effective in humans, Green believes it could help a broad range of women, such as those living with osteoporosis, women approaching menopause, or those hoping to prevent bone loss. Green noted that they only investigated the postmenopausal state and after bone loss had already set in, so CADD522 would be best placed in this scenario, while a preventative medicine would be even better but would need to be tested next.