Chad Deal, MD, Rheumatologist, Head, Center for Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Disease, Cleveland Clinic, discusses a new antiresorptive agent for osteoporosis, denosumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets cytokine rank ligand, which is important for osteoclast survival and function.

Summary:
1.Denosumab is a new osteoporosis medication and is a human monoclonal antibody that targets cytokine rank ligand. It is a subcutaneous dose that is given once a year, and has a rapid onset and offset of action.
2. Early clinical trials show clinically signifigant fracture reduction at 3 sites: vertebral, hip and non-vertebral.

References and Resources
Ferrari S. [Bone remodeling: new therapeutic approaches] Rev Med Suisse. 2009 Jun 10;5(207):1325-8.
Kendler DL, Roux C, Benhamou CL, Brown JP, Lillestol M, Siddhanti S, Man HS, San Martin J, Bone HG. Effects of Denosumab on Bone Mineral Density and Bone Turnover in Postmenopausal Women Transitioning from Alendronate Therapy. J Bone Miner Res. 2009 Jul 13.

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Dr. Deal has disclosed the following:
Salary: Amgen
Royalty: GlaxoSmithKline
Receipt of Intellectual Property Rights/Patent Holder: Procter & Gamble
Consulting Fees: Lilly
Fees for Non-CME Services Received Directly from a Commercial Interest or their Agents: Novartis
Contracted Research: Novartis, Amgen, GlaxoSmithKline

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