Romosozumab boosts bone density while cutting resorption

The "impressive" findings reported by McClung et al. "represent a potential breakthrough in osteoporosis therapeutics," said Dr. Carolyn B. Becker.

"The pattern of brief stimulation [of bone formation], coupled with chronic suppression of bone resorption ... is unprecedented among current therapies for osteoporosis," she noted.

However, many questions remain. Further study must establish whether the improvements in BMD do in fact translate into decreased fractures and whether the drug is safe enough to be taken long term. A phase III clinical trial is now under way to address such issues.

Dr. Carolyn B. Becker is an endocrinologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston. She reported no potential financial conflicts of interest. These remarks were taken from her editorial accompanying Dr. McClung’s report (N. Engl. J. Med. 2014 [doi:10.1056/NEJMe1315500]).