title: Novel approaches to the treatment of osteoporosis.
abstract: Despite the availability of efficacious treatments for fracture reduction in patients with osteoporosis, there are still unmet needs requiring a broader range of therapeutics. In particular, agents that are capable of replacing already lost bone and that also drastically reduce the risk of non-vertebral fractures are needed. Studies of rare bone diseases in humans and animal genetics have identified targets in bone cells for the development of therapies for osteoporosis with novel mechanisms of action. Here, we review these new developments, with emphasis on inhibitors of cathepsin K in osteoclasts and sclerostin in osteocytes, which are currently studied in phase 3 clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Center for Bone Quality, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Natasha M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Appelman-Dijkstra
authors.affiliation: Center for Bone Quality, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands. Electronic address: m.v.iken@lumc.nl.
authors.forename: Socrates E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Papapoulos
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D001846:Bone Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000188:drug therapy*; D056657:Cathepsin K / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D005819:Genetic Markers; D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein; C422903:SOST protein, human; D056657:Cathepsin K
keywords: PTHrP; bone formation; bone resorption; cathepsin K; osteoporosis; sclerostin