title: Romosozumab for the treatment of osteoporosis.
abstract: Sclerostin, a glycoprotein produced primarily by osteocytes, blocks the canonical Wnt signaling bone formation pathway. Romosozumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody to sclerostin that binds to sclerostin, permitting the engagement of Wnt ligands with their co-receptors, resulting in an increase in bone formation and bone mineral density (BMD). Clinical studies with romosozumab have shown dramatic improvements in BMD at the spine and hip. Romosozumab is associated with improvement in bone strength through mechanisms that include increases in bone formation and, different from classical osteoanabolic agents, suppression of bone resorption. Areas covered: Herein, the authors highlight the available data on romosozumab for the treatment of osteoporosis. This includes the latest data on the efficacy, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics as well as safety and tolerability data. Expert opinion: Monthly subcutaneous dosing of romosozumab reduces the risk of vertebral and clinical fractures in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis, with a favorable balance of benefits and risks. Romosozumab is a promising emerging anabolic agent with a novel mechanism of action that may expand the options for treating osteoporotic patients at high risk of fracture.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medicine , College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Medical Center , New York , NY , USA.
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bandeira
authors.affiliation: b New Mexico Clinical Research & Osteoporosis Center , Albuquerque , NM , USA.
authors.forename: E Michael
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Lewiecki
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medicine , College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Medical Center , New York , NY , USA.
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bilezikian
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; C557282:romosozumab
keywords: Anabolic; bone mineral density; fracture; monoclonal antibody; osteoporosis; romosozumab; sclerostin