title: Novel targets for the prevention of osteoporosis - lessons learned from studies of metabolic bone disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteoporosis is a major health care problem, and whereas efficacious treatments for vertebral fracture reduction are available for osteoporosis patients, these therapies are still limited with respect to capacity for restoration of bone loss, as well as efficacy on non-vertebral fractures, such as hip fractures, which are the source of morbidity and mortality.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies of rare bone diseases in humans, such as osteopetrosis, sclerosteosis, pycnodysostosis and more, have shed light on a series of drug targets in bone that have the potential to result in therapies for osteoporosis with novel mechanisms of action, and the potential to improve the standard of care substantially. We focus on how they are separated from classic treatments for osteoporosis, in terms of novel modes of action, additional beneficial effects on bone turnover and importantly also safety. We focus on the status of anti-sclerostin antibodies, novel parathyroid hormone-related protein analogs, inhibitors of cathepsin K and ClC-7 in osteoclasts, all of which are currently in development.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a good possibility that the treatment of osteoporosis will be greatly improved within the coming years; however, with numerous effective and safe drugs already available careful attention to the safety of these novel candidates is crucial.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Musculoskeletal Diseases, Nordic Bioscience Biomarkers and Research , Herlev Hovedgade 207, DK-2730 Herlev, Denmark kh@nordicbioscience.com.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Henriksen
authors.affiliation: a Department of Musculoskeletal Diseases, Nordic Bioscience Biomarkers and Research , Herlev Hovedgade 207, DK-2730 Herlev, Denmark kh@nordicbioscience.com.
authors.forename: Christian Schneider
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Thudium
authors.affiliation: a Department of Musculoskeletal Diseases, Nordic Bioscience Biomarkers and Research , Herlev Hovedgade 207, DK-2730 Herlev, Denmark kh@nordicbioscience.com.
authors.forename: Claus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Christiansen
authors.affiliation: a Department of Musculoskeletal Diseases, Nordic Bioscience Biomarkers and Research , Herlev Hovedgade 207, DK-2730 Herlev, Denmark kh@nordicbioscience.com.
authors.forename: Morten Asser
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Karsdal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents
keywords: anabolic; anti-resorptive; osteoporosis; treatment