Denosumab in postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) is essential for osteoclast differentiation, activation, and survival. The fully human monoclonal antibody denosumab (formerly known as AMG 162) binds RANKL with high affinity and specificity and inhibits RANKL action.

METHODS:

The efficacy and safety of subcutaneously administered denosumab were evaluated over a period of 12 months in 412 postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density (T score of -1.8 to -4.0 at the lumbar spine or -1.8 to -3.5 at the proximal femur). Subjects were randomly assigned to receive denosumab either every three months (at a dose of 6, 14, or 30 mg) or every six months (at a dose of 14, 60, 100, or 210 mg), open-label oral alendronate once weekly (at a dose of 70 mg), or placebo. The primary end point was the percentage change from baseline in bone mineral density at the lumbar spine at 12 months. Changes in bone turnover were assessed by measurement of serum and urine telopeptides and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase.

RESULTS:

Denosumab treatment for 12 months resulted in an increase in bone mineral density at the lumbar spine of 3.0 to 6.7 percent (as compared with an increase of 4.6 percent with alendronate and a loss of 0.8 percent with placebo), at the total hip of 1.9 to 3.6 percent (as compared with an increase of 2.1 percent with alendronate and a loss of 0.6 percent with placebo), and at the distal third of the radius of 0.4 to 1.3 percent (as compared with decreases of 0.5 percent with alendronate and 2.0 percent with placebo). Near-maximal reductions in mean levels of serum C-telopeptide from baseline were evident three days after the administration of denosumab. The duration of the suppression of bone turnover appeared to be dose-dependent.

CONCLUSIONS:

In postmenopausal women with low bone mass, denosumab increased bone mineral density and decreased bone resorption. These preliminary data suggest that denosumab might be an effective treatment for osteoporosis. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00043186.).

• Authors: Michael R McClung, E Michael Lewiecki, Stanley B Cohen, Michael A Bolognese, Grattan C Woodson, Alfred H Moffett, Munro Peacock, Paul D Miller, Samuel N Lederman, Charles H Chesnut, Douglas Lain, Alan J Kivitz, Donna L Holloway, Charlie Zhang, Mark C Peterson, Pirow J Bekker, AMG 162 Bone Loss Study Group
• Journal: The New England journal of medicine (N Engl J Med) Vol. 354 Issue 8 Pg. 821-31 (Feb 23 2006) ISSN: 1533-4406 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 16495394 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Phase II, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright 2006 Massachusetts Medical Society.

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Biomarkers
• Bone Density Conservation Agents
• Carrier Proteins
• Membrane Glycoproteins
• RANK Ligand
• Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B
• TNFRSF11A protein, human
• TNFSF11 protein, human
• Denosumab
• Alendronate

Topics

• Alendronate (adverse effects, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (adverse effects, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Biomarkers (blood)
• Bone Density (drug effects)
• Bone Density Conservation Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Bone Remodeling (drug effects)
• Bone Resorption (blood, drug therapy)
• Carrier Proteins (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Denosumab
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Injections, Subcutaneous
• Membrane Glycoproteins (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Middle Aged
• Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• RANK Ligand
• Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B