Treatment of osteoporosis: where are we and where are we going to

In the past years, there has been a multiplication of drugs identified as candidates for use in the prevention or the treatment of osteoporosis. When treating established osteoporosis, the objective is to prevent further skeletal deterioration, improve bone mass and/or bone microarchitecture to provide a documented reduction of the risk of vertebral and/or peripheral fractures. Calcium and vitamin D have been shown to be particularly efficient in elderly patients, mainly to prevent non-vertebral fractures. By inhibiting osteoclastic activity, calcitonin improves bone mineral density at all sites. Preliminary results suggest that it might also decrease vertebral fracture rates. Bisphosphonates have been investigated for 20 years in the treatment of osteoporosis. Alendronate was shown to reduce spinal and extravertebral fractures. New formulations of fluoride, like monofluorophosphate appear to be particularly beneficial in women with mild to moderate osteoporosis. Several new compounds, including parathormone, strontium salts, ipriflavone or others are currently developed and subject to large investigational programs to demonstrate their ability to reduce fracture.