Anabolic therapies

The possibility of anabolic therapy continues to excite the bone research community. Substantial clinical benefit may accrue with parathyroid hormone if preliminary evidence concerning antifracture efficacy is confirmed. Human growth hormone shows little or no promise as an anabolic agent for bone. Fluoride achieves substantial increases in bone mineral density, but its ability to prevent fractures remains highly contentious. It seems likely that, along with the possible addition of parathyroid hormone to the therapeutic armamentarium, preventive measures and potent antiresorptive drugs will remain the mainstay of osteoporosis therapy for the next several years.