Directions of drug discovery in osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a condition of increasing importance and prevalence in all parts of the world and particularly in Asia. Recent advances have led to the introduction of effective drugs that decrease bone resorption and stabilize bone mass. However, these drugs have been identified by serendipity rather than rational drug design and are not ideal because of limited bioavailability, mode of administration, or other unwanted effects. There is still a place for even more suitable and effective resorption inhibitors than those currently available. The more compelling need in this field is an acceptable drug that is anabolic for bone, that safely and acceptably increases bone mass and improves the disturbances in bone microarchitecture that characterize established and advanced osteoporosis. Possible approaches to identifying more effective resorption inhibitors and new anabolic agents are discussed.
Mundy
Gregory R
GR
Department of Medicine/Endocrinology, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, USA. mundy@uthscsa.edu
D000818:Animals; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020738:Leptin / Q000502:physiology; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000187:drug effects; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex
D004164:Diphosphonates; D020738:Leptin; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex