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Therapy for osteoporosis. Miscellaneous and experimental agents
J Y Reginster1, A N Taquet, C Gosset
1Bone and Articular Cartilage Research Unit, University of Liège, Belgium.
Abstract:
None of the currently available medications for osteoporosis have demonstrated an ability to fully prevent the occurrence of new vertebral or peripheral osteoporotic fractures once the disease is established. Several new therapies, therefore, are currently being developed to optimize the risk/benefit ratio of osteoporosis treatment. This article discusses a number of treatments currently being considered, including anabolic steroids, growth hormone or insulin-like growth factors, ipriflavone, parathyroid peptides, and strontium. Several other compounds have been suggested recently for treatment of osteoporosis and other are at very early stages of their development. In addition to pharmacologic approaches to the treatment of osteoporosis, hip protectors also may reduce hip fractures.
Insights
Current osteoporosis treatments fail to fully prevent fractures. New therapies like anabolic steroids, growth hormone, and strontium are under investigation to improve osteoporosis management and reduce fracture risk.
Area of Science:
- Bone Metabolism and Therapeutics
- Pharmacology of Osteoporosis
Background:
- Established osteoporosis treatments are insufficient in preventing new vertebral and peripheral fractures.
- There is a critical need for novel therapeutic strategies to optimize the risk/benefit profile in osteoporosis management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review emerging pharmacologic agents and non-pharmacologic interventions for osteoporosis.
- To discuss the potential of new treatments in preventing osteoporotic fractures.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current and developing osteoporosis treatments.
- Discussion of anabolic steroids, growth hormone/IGFs, ipriflavone, parathyroid peptides, and strontium.
- Inclusion of hip protectors as a non-pharmacologic approach.
Main Results:
- Several novel compounds are in early stages of development for osteoporosis treatment.
- Anabolic steroids, growth hormone/IGFs, ipriflavone, parathyroid peptides, and strontium are under consideration.
- Hip protectors may offer a reduction in hip fracture incidence.
Conclusions:
- Existing osteoporosis medications do not fully prevent fractures in established disease.
- Investigational therapies show promise for optimizing osteoporosis treatment.
- A combination of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches may be necessary for comprehensive fracture prevention.