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Denosumab is a monoclonal antibody that attenuates bone resorption by inhibiting a cytokine essential for osteoclast function. This drug, which is under FDA review but is not yet approved, is the focus of two industry-sponsored randomized trials.
In one trial, nearly 8000 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis received subcutaneous injections of denosumab or placebo every 6 months for 3 years. Denosumab — compared with placebo — was associated with lower incidences of new radiographic vertebral fractures (2.3% vs. 7.2%), clinical vertebral fractures (0.8% vs. 2.6%), nonvertebral fractures (6.5% vs. 8.0%), and hip fractures (0.7% vs. 1.2%). Incidences of side effects were similar in the two groups.
Androgen-deprivation therapy causes bone loss…