Clinical Medicine Insights: Therapeutics

Denosumab is the first fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the formation, function and survival of osteoclasts by blocking the interaction of RANKL 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 non-vertebral fractures in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis, with an acceptable rate of side effects so far. Denosumab offers a new choice for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis in patients at high risk for fractures.