Experience with ospemifene in patients with vulvar and vaginal atrophy: case studies with bone marker profiles

Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) exhibit varying agonist/antagonist activities on estrogen receptors in tissues, although most SERMs, including ospemifene, have agonist effects on bone. In this article, outcomes in relation to bone homeostasis, bone mineral density (BMD), and osteopenia-osteoporosis are examined in postmenopausal women during treatment with ospemifene for vulvar and vaginal atrophy (VVA), a component of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause. In cases 1 and 2, the women had established osteopenia or osteoporosis before the start of ospemifene treatment. After 6 months' and 7 months' treatment, respectively, marked reductions were observed in bone resorption (decreased levels of carboxy-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type-1 collagen). The woman in case 3 had normal bone marker data and BMD prior to starting treatment with ospemifene. After 1 year, bone biomarkers and densitometry indicated improved bone health. Ospemifene 60 mg daily for treatment of VVA in postmenopausal women appears to benefit bone health although, because current evidence is based mainly on bone biomarkers, long-term studies are required to confirm this potential.