Antiresorptive agents in the treatment of osteoporosis
Authors:
Srđan Novak
Summary
The aim of drug treatment of osteoporosis is the balance between activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts with augmentation of mineral bone density and decrease of fracture risk. Antiresorptive agents depress osteoclasts and diminish resorption of bone. They include bisphosphonates, selective
estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), denosumab, while hormone replacement therapy and calcitonin are mostly abandoned. By binding to hydroxyapatite crystals of bone surface bisphosphonates inhibit the resorption of bone and prevent vertebral and non-vertebral fractures. Denosumab
is a monoclonal antibody which by hindering interaction between RANKL and RANK inhibits osteoclastogenesis and diminishes bone resorption in cortical and trabecular bones, thus significantly lessening fracture risk.