Romosozumab : New kid on the block
We always look forward for a better agent to treat osteoporosis than those existing one’s. Recent article by McClung et al. have shown the efficacy of Romosozumab in postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density. Romosozumab is a humanized monoclonal anti-sclerostin antibody.
Sclerostin is a glycoprotein secreted by osteocyte and it is important regulator of bone formation. Sclerostin inhibits Wnt and bone morphogenetic protein signaling pathways which leads to reduction in osteoblast proliferation and function, thereby decreasing bone formation. Blocking the action of Sclerostin can result in positive effect on bone formation.
Romosozumab, in different doses has been found to be effective improvising bone density better than alendronate and teriparatide. Though, it is phase II trial, larger phase III trial may confirm its efficacy and utility.
For further reading please refer:
Romosozumab in Postmenopausal Women with Low Bone Mineral Density
Michael R. McClung, M.D., Andreas Grauer, M.D., Steven Boonen, M.D., Ph.D.,* Michael A. Bolognese, M.D., Jacques P. Brown, M.D., Adolfo Diez-Perez, M.D., Ph.D., Bente L. Langdahl, Ph.D., D.M.Sc., Jean-Yves Reginster, M.D., Ph.D.,
Jose R. Zanchetta, M.D., Scott M. Wasserman, M.D., Leonid Katz, M.D., Judy Maddox, D.O., Yu-Ching Yang, Ph.D., Cesar Libanati, M.D.,
and Henry G. Bone, M.D.
NEJM DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1305224