The RANKL pathway and denosumab.
Denosumab (Prolia) is a fully human monoclonal antibody directed against receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), which interferes with the formation, activation, and survival of osteoclasts. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in June 2010 as a new treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis in women who are at high risk for fracture. Given its mechanism of action, it is an antiresorptive therapy that is administered as a 60-mg subcutaneous injection every 6 months. It is the first biologic antiresorptive therapy for osteoporosis, and the first osteoporosis therapy to show efficacy and safety in patients with renal impairment.
Division of Rheumatology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. rkdmail@sbglobal.net
Robin K
RK
Dore
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D000069448:Denosumab; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D049790:Nuclear Export Signals / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D053245:RANK Ligand / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D049790:Nuclear Export Signals; D053245:RANK Ligand; C505688:TNFSF11 protein, human; D000069448:Denosumab