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Denosumab: What’s New?

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Abstract

Denosumab is the first fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the formation, function, and survival of osteoclasts by blocking the interaction of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK) ligand with its osteoclastic receptor RANK. Clinical studies have shown that the decreased bone resorption and increased bone mineral density resulting from the use of denosumab 60 mg twice yearly entail significant risk reduction of vertebral, hip, and nonvertebral fractures in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis, with an acceptable rate of side effects so far. Following its approval by the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency, a number of clinical trials with denosumab are ongoing to demonstrate its value for other indications and to further characterize its effects on immunomodulation. Denosumab offers a new choice for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis in patients at high risk for fracture.

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Abbreviations

DECIDE:

Determining Efficacy: Comparison of Initiating Denosumab Versus Alendronate

DEFEND:

Denosumab Fortifies Bone Density

FREEDOM:

Fracture Reduction Evaluation of Denosumab in Osteoporosis Every 6 Months

STAND:

Study of Transitioning from Alendronate to Denosumab.

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Disclosure

Conflicts of interest: C.E. Bogado, J.A. Boailchuk, F.E. Massari, and J.R. Zanchetta have received travel expenses from Amgen for research protocol meetings; J.R. Zanchetta: has been a consultant for Amgen and has received honoraria from Amgen for research protocol.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Investigaciones Metabolicas, Libertad 836, C1012AAR, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Cesar E. Bogado, Maria Belen Zanchetta, Juan A. Boailchuk, Fabio E. Massari & Jose R. Zanchetta

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  1. Cesar E. Bogado
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  2. Maria Belen Zanchetta
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  3. Juan A. Boailchuk
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  4. Fabio E. Massari
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  5. Jose R. Zanchetta
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Correspondence to Jose R. Zanchetta.

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Bogado, C.E., Zanchetta, M.B., Boailchuk, J.A. et al. Denosumab: What’s New?. Curr Osteoporos Rep 9, 12–19 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11914-010-0040-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11914-010-0040-1

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