Osteoporosis: challenges and new opportunities for therapy

Osteoporosis is a chronic disease that affects a large number of both men and women and is characterized by a decrease in bone mass, as well as weakened bones. It causes a significant amount of morbidity and mortality in patients and is often only diagnosed after a fracture occurs. This review will highlight recent advances in the development of novel anabolic approaches for treatment of osteoporosis, such as parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium sensing receptor modulators, statins and prostanoid receptor agonists. Selected antiresorptive targets (cathepsin K inhibitors and vitronectin receptor antagonists) will also be surveyed.