title: PTH (1-34): a novel anabolic drug for the treatment of osteoporosis.
abstract: The management of osteoporosis has in the past included providing patients with an adequate source of calcium and vitamin D and consideration of some type of antiresorption therapy such as hormone replacement, SERM therapy, or bisphosphonate therapy. However, patients who have very low bone density and continue to have fractures while receiving these therapies need to consider being treated with the recently approved novel anabolic drug PTH (1-34) (Forteo). The osteoblast has the receptor for parathyroid hormone (PTH). When PTH (1 -4) is given in a pulsatile fashion, for example a daily subcutaneous injection, it stimulates osteoblasts to make new bone. PTH (1-34) has been shown to markedly increase spinal bone density and increase hip bone density. In addition, the relative risk of having moderate vertebral fracture was reduced by 90%. Thus, PTH (1-34) offers an exciting new approach for the treatment of severe osteoporosis.
authors.affiliation: Vitamin D, Skin and Bone Research Laboratory, Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA. mfholick@bu.edu
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Holick
mesh_terms: D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D019379:Teriparatide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D019379:Teriparatide