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Anti-resorptive therapies for osteoporosis

Ian R Reid1

  • 1Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. i.reid@auckland.ac.nz

Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology
|September 2, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Current osteoporosis treatments focus on inhibiting bone resorption. While effective, newer agents and anabolic therapies may be needed for greater fracture reduction.

Area of Science:

  • Bone biology and pharmacology
  • Osteoporosis treatment strategies

Background:

  • Osteoporosis treatment primarily targets osteoclast-mediated bone resorption.
  • Established anti-resorptive therapies include calcium, bisphosphonates, estrogen, SERMs, and calcitonin.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current and emerging therapeutic agents for osteoporosis.
  • To discuss the efficacy of anti-resorptive agents in reducing fracture incidence.
  • To explore the potential of novel agents and anabolic therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on osteoporosis treatments.
  • Analysis of the mechanisms of action for anti-resorptive agents.
  • Evaluation of clinical data on fracture reduction efficacy.

Main Results:

  • Potent anti-resorptive agents reduce vertebral fractures by approximately 50% and non-vertebral fractures by 25%.
  • Emerging treatments include cathepsin K inhibitors and RANKL inhibitors.
  • The potential for improved fracture reduction with newer agents is under investigation.

Conclusions:

  • Current anti-resorptive therapies offer moderate fracture protection.
  • Novel agents targeting cathepsin K and RANKL are under development.
  • Anabolic agents may be necessary for substantial reductions in all fracture types.

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