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Denosumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody against receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand, an essential mediator of osteoclast activity and survival. In postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density (BMD), subcutaneous denosumab decreases bone resorption and increases BMD. This post hoc analysis reports on subjects treated for up to 24 months with denosumab 60mg 6 monthly (N=39), placebo (N=39), or open-label alendronate 70mg once weekly (N=38) in a phase 2 study. Hip scans were done by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline, 12, and 24 months; these were analyzed with hip structural analysis software to evaluate BMD and cross-sectional geometry parameters at the narrowest segment of the femoral neck, the intertrochanter, and the proximal shaft. Geometric parameters and derived strength indices included bone cross-sectional area, section modulus, and buckling ratio. At 12 and 24 months denosumab and alendronate improved these parameters compared with placebo. Denosumab effects were greater than alendronate at the intertrochanteric and shaft sites. The magnitude and direction of the changes in structural geometry parameters observed in this study suggest that denosumab treatment may lead to improved bone mechanical properties. Ongoing phase 3 studies will determine whether denosumab reduces fracture risk.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.jocd.2008.04.001

Type

Journal article

Journal

J clin densitom

Publication Date

07/2008

Volume

11

Pages

351 - 359

Keywords

Absorptiometry, Photon, Alendronate, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized, Bone Density, Bone Density Conservation Agents, Denosumab, Female, Femur, Humans, Least-Squares Analysis, Middle Aged, Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal, RANK Ligand, Treatment Outcome