Open AccessOsteoporosis: Mechanism, Molecular Target and Current Status on Drug Development
Author(s) -
Hanxuan Li,
Zhousheng Xiao,
L. Darryl Quarles,
Wei Li
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
current medicinal chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.934
H-Index - 174
eISSN - 1875-533X
pISSN - 0929-8673
DOI - 10.2174/0929867327666200330142432
Subject(s) - osteoporosis , anabolic agents , osteoclast , cathepsin k , bone resorption , medicine , sclerostin , raloxifene , osteoblast , bone remodeling , anabolism , pharmacology , drug , teriparatide , bioinformatics , chemistry , bone mineral , signal transduction , tamoxifen , wnt signaling pathway , biology , biochemistry , receptor , cancer , breast cancer , in vitro
CDATA[Osteoporosis is a pathological loss of bone mass due to an imbalance in bone remodeling where osteoclast-mediated bone resorption exceeds osteoblast-mediated bone formation resulting in skeletal fragility and fractures. Anti-resorptive agents, such as bisphosphonates and SERMs, and anabolic drugs that stimulate bone formation, including PTH analogues and sclerostin inhibitors, are current treatments for osteoporosis. Despite their efficacy, severe side effects and loss of potency may limit the long term usage of a single drug. Sequential and combinational use of current drugs, such as switching from an anabolic to an anti-resorptive agent, may provide an alternative approach. Moreover, there are novel drugs being developed against emerging new targets such as Cathepsin K and 17β-HSD2 that may have less side effects. This review will summarize the molecular mechanisms of osteoporosis, current drugs for osteoporosis treatment, and new drug development strategies.