title: Monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of osteoporosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder that weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures. It is caused by perturbations of bone remodeling, the coupled process whereby bone is continually resorbed and formed in small discrete units. Despite the availability of cost-effective pharmacological agents that reduce fracture risk, many patients who could benefit from treatment are not receiving it. Advances in the understanding of the molecular regulators of bone remodeling have led to the identification of new targets for therapeutic intervention. Monoclonal antibodies directed to these targets have recently been developed, providing new ways of modulating bone remodeling that may provide additional benefits beyond previously available therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  An approved fully human monoclonal antibody to receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand, the principal regulator of osteoclastic bone resorption, reduces the risk of fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Monoclonal antibodies in development include inhibitors of sclerostin and Dickhopf1, with osteoanabolic activity that may be beneficial in the treatment of osteoporosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Monoclonal antibodies to molecular regulators of bone remodeling represent a new class of compounds for the management of osteoporosis and other skeletal disorders associated with an imbalance of bone resorption and formation.
authors.affiliation: New Mexico Clinical Research & Osteoporosis Center, 300 Oak St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA. mlewiecki@gmail.com
authors.forename: E Michael
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Lewiecki
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D016723:Bone Remodeling; D017102:Fracture Healing; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D053245:RANK Ligand / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; C501126:DKK1 protein, human; D005819:Genetic Markers; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D053245:RANK Ligand; C422903:SOST protein, human; C505688:TNFSF11 protein, human