Treatment needs and current options for postmenopausal osteoporosis
Luigi Gennari1, Stefano Rotatori1, Simone Bianciardi1
1a Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences , University of Siena , Siena , Italy.
Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy
|April 8, 2016
Summary
Osteoporosis treatments have improved, but challenges remain in adherence, nonvertebral fracture prevention, and long-term side effects. New drug targets offer hope for more selective osteoporosis therapies.
Area of Science:
- Bone biology and osteoporosis pharmacotherapy.
Background:
- Osteoporosis affects 50% of postmenopausal women, characterized by low bone strength and fracture risk.
- Pharmacotherapy has advanced with bone resorption inhibitors (bisphosphonates, denosumab) and bone formation stimulators (PTH analogs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current postmenopausal osteoporosis treatments.
- To identify unmet clinical needs.
- To discuss potential benefits of novel osteoporosis compounds.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing osteoporosis pharmacotherapy.
- Analysis of treatment limitations and future drug development.
Main Results:
- Current treatments face limitations in adherence, nonvertebral fracture prevention, and long-term adverse events.
- PTH analogs are the sole bone formation stimulators but have a limited 2-year anabolic window.
Conclusions:
- Despite progress, unmet needs persist in osteoporosis management.
- New drug development targets selective modulation of osteoclasts and osteoblasts.
- Future therapies aim to uncouple bone formation from resorption for improved outcomes.
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