Title |
Inhibition of Cathepsin K for Treatment of Osteoporosis
|
---|---|
Published in |
Current Osteoporosis Reports, January 2012
|
DOI | 10.1007/s11914-011-0085-9 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Steven Boonen, Elizabeth Rosenberg, Frank Claessens, Dirk Vanderschueren, Socrates Papapoulos |
Abstract |
Cathepsin K is the protease that is primarily responsible for the degradation of bone matrix by osteoclasts. Inhibitors of cathepsin K are in development for treatment of osteoporosis. Currently available antiresorptive drugs interfere with osteoclast function. They inhibit both bone resorption and formation, due to the coupling between these processes. Cathepsin K inhibitors, conversely, target the resorption process itself and may not interfere with osteoclast stimulation of bone formation. In fact, when cathepsin K is absent or inhibited in mice, rabbits, or monkeys, bone formation is maintained or increased. In humans, inhibition of cathepsin K is associated with sustained reductions in bone resorption markers but with smaller and transient reductions in bone formation markers. The usefulness of cathepsin K inhibitors in osteoporosis is now being examined in phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials of postmenopausal osteoporotic women. |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
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Spain | 1 | 2% |
United States | 1 | 2% |
France | 1 | 2% |
Unknown | 63 | 95% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
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Student > Ph. D. Student | 14 | 21% |
Student > Bachelor | 11 | 17% |
Student > Master | 10 | 15% |
Researcher | 7 | 11% |
Student > Postgraduate | 3 | 5% |
Other | 8 | 12% |
Unknown | 13 | 20% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
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Chemistry | 4 | 6% |
Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science | 3 | 5% |
Other | 6 | 9% |
Unknown | 13 | 20% |