| [ Summary ] |
Currently, most drugs approved for osteoporosis in Japan target suppression of bone resorption. In addition to bisphosphonates (daily or weekly administration of etidronate, alendronate, risedronate, and minodronate), selective estrogen receptor modulators, SERM (raloxifene and bazedoxifene), active vitamin D3 specified for bone related conditions, and eldecalcitol, have recently become available. Although weekly administration of oral bisphosphonates is the current leading therapy, monthly oral therapy or intermittent injection may be clinically introduced and become the most common modality in the future. A clinical trial in Japan is ongoing for ibandronate, and will soon start for zoledronate. Clinical trials for anti-receptor activator of NFκB ligand (RANKL) antibodies and cathepsin K inhibitors have also been initiated. Antiresorptive treatment has been shown to be effective not only for osteoporosis but also for metastatic bone diseases and rheumatoid arthritis. |