Romosozumab: Building an Effective New Approach to Osteoporosis Treatment

This anabolic agent reduced risk for fracture in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Blocking sclerostin (an osteocyte-derived negative regulator of bone formation) increases bone formation and reduces bone resorption. In a previous study, treatment of postmenopausal women with low bone mass with romosozumab, a humanized anti-sclerostin antibody, increased bone mineral density (BMD) more than alendronate or teriparatide after 1 year (NEJM JW Womens Health Feb 2014 and N Engl J Med 2014; 370:412). Now, in a manufacturer funded phase III study, 7180 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were randomized to monthly subcutaneous romosozumab (210 mg) or placebo for 1 year followed by open-label subcutaneous denosumab (60 mg) every 6 months for an additional year.

At 12 months, incidence of new vertebral fractures in the romosozum…

Reviewing Author

Michael R. McClung, MD, FACP, FACE

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAmgen; Merck; Radius

Editorial boardsBoneKey; Menopause; Osteoporosis International

Michael R. McClung, MD, FACP, FACE

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAmgen; Merck; Radius

Editorial boardsBoneKey; Menopause; Osteoporosis International

Romosozumab: Building an Effective New Approach to Osteoporosis Treatment

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Reviewing Author