Future Therapies of Osteoporosis

Abstract

Insights into the mechanisms that govern the formation and function of osteoblasts and osteoclasts and their communication processes have led to specific points of intervention that are guiding the development of current and next generation therapies for osteoporosis. This chapter discusses several candidate molecules that have been identified with the potential to act as antiresorptive or anabolic agents. Preliminary results of studies with some of these molecules hold the promise that at least some of these new therapies may develop into effective means of treating and preventing osteoporosis. Initial drug development attempts in osteoporosis use monoclonal anti-DKK-1 reagents, but the pos..