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Drugs & Aging
Published in: Drugs & Aging 2/2018

01-02-2018 | Adis Drug Evaluation

Denosumab: A Review in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

Author: Emma D. Deeks

Published in: Drugs & Aging | Issue 2/2018

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Abstract

Denosumab (Prolia®; Pralia®) is a human monoclonal antibody targeting the key bone resorption mediator RANKL. The drug is administered via subcutaneous injection once every 6 months and is approved for various indications, including the treatment of postmenopausal (PM) women with osteoporosis at increased/high risk of fracture or failure/intolerance of other osteoporosis therapies (indications featured in this review). Denosumab showed benefit in several phase 3 or 4 studies in PM women with osteoporosis or low bone mineral density (BMD), including the pivotal 3-year double-blind FREEDOM trial and its 7-year open-label extension. Denosumab reduced the risk of vertebral, nonvertebral and hip fractures and increased BMD across skeletal sites versus placebo in FREEDOM, with these benefits maintained over up to 10 years’ therapy in the extension. The drug was also more effective in improving BMD than bisphosphonates, including in women switched from a bisphosphonate regimen, in 1-year trials; however, whether these differences translate into differences in anti-fracture efficacy is unclear. Denosumab was generally well tolerated over up to 10 years’ treatment, although an increased risk of multiple vertebral fractures was observed after discontinuation of the drug. Thus, denosumab is a key treatment option for PM women with osteoporosis who have an increased/high risk of fracture or failure/intolerance of other osteoporosis therapies, although the potential for multiple vertebral fractures to occur after discontinuation of the drug requires consideration of subsequent management options.
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Metadata
Title
Denosumab: A Review in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
Author
Emma D. Deeks
Publication date
01-02-2018
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Drugs & Aging / Issue 2/2018
Print ISSN: 1170-229X
Electronic ISSN: 1179-1969
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40266-018-0525-7

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