Denosumab for the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis

View the National Osteoporosis Foundation Clinician's Guide Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a major concern to public health. Fractures are the major clinical consequence of osteoporosis and are associated with substantial morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Despite the availability of screening and treatment guidelines, osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment remain low. Health care providers may consult guidelines in the clinical management of their patients with osteoporosis, including those from the National Osteoporosis Foundation, and the new fracture risk assessment tool from the World Health Organization. Bisphosphonates are the most commonly used treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Although these agents are effective in preventing fractures and bone loss, the benefits of treatment may be limited by suboptimal adherence and compliance. Denosumab is a human monoclonal antibody that targets and inhibits RANK ligand, an essential mediator of bone resorption. In clinical trials in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, denosumab 60 mg given subcutaneously every 6 months was well tolerated and statistically significantly reduced the risk of vertebral, nonvertebral, and hip fractures. The introduction of denosumab into clinical practice provides physicians with another option for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, and the twice-yearly dosing regimen has the potential to improve adherence.