| Theme |
Therapeutic drugs for osteoporosis |
| Title |
Perspective of new pharmacological treatment of osteoporosis |
| Author |
Eisuke Tomatsu |
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Fujita Health University |
| Author |
Atsushi Suzuki |
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Fujita Health University |
| [ Summary ] |
Recent advances in pharmacological intervention could reduce the risk of osteoporotic fractures by up to 50 %. However, the long-term safety and efficacy of anti-resorptive agents are still controversial. Especially, cathepsin K inhibitors and anti-sclerostin antibodies are now being investigated in clinical trials, and represent promising candidates for the treatment of osteoporosis. Cathepsin K is expressed predominantly in osteoclasts and degrades the collagen matrix components of bone ; thus, cathepsin K inhibitors efficiently block bone resorption without suppression of bone formation. On the other hand, sclerostin, which is mainly secreted by osteocytes, negatively regulates the formation of mineralized bone matrix and reduces bone mass. Anti-sclerostin antibodies may therefore represent a potent anabolic therapy for osteoporosis. |