Non-vertebral anti-fracture reduction is 20 to 30%, less than half the vertebral fracture risk reduction reported in most trials [44]. One explanation may be the differing access of drugs to intracortical remodeling sites initiated upon Haversian canals within the large cortical matrix volume [4] and [34]. Risedronate has a lower
mineral binding affinity than alendronate and penetrates deeper into cortical bone [4] and [34]. Risedronate reduced non-vertebral fracture rates SP600125 molecular weight in two of the three main trials [45], [46] and [47], while alendronate did not [48] and [49]. Nakamura et al. reported that in a 24-month study of 1194 postmenopausal Japanese women and men (placebo, n = 480; denosumab 60 mg every 6 months, n = 472; or open-label alendronate 35 mg weekly, n = 242) [50], new or worsening vertebral fractures occurred selleck kinase inhibitor in 8.5%, 2.4%, and 5.0% of women, respectively (p = 0.0001 denosumab versus placebo). Major non-vertebral fractures occurred in 3.9%, 1.7%, and 2.3% of women, respectively (p = 0.057, denosumab versus placebo). Thus, numerically, fewer fractures occurred in the denosumab than alendronate group but statistical analyses comparing the two antiresorptives was not reported. Moreover, women treated with denosumab in the pivotal phase 3 trial, although a placebo comparator arm was not available in the 4th and 5th years, had a low reported non-vertebral fracture rate, an observation not
reported for alendronate or zoledronic acid, the latter also having high affinity for bone mineral [51]. This study has limitations. StrAx1.0 analysis does not quantify pore size and number so that the relative contribution of reductions in pore number versus pore size to the reduction in porosity cannot be determined at this time. Measures of porosity using StrAx1.0 are more sensitive than measures of density to motion artifacts and this resulted in loss of some images. In summary, this is the first randomized double-blind, placebo controlled trial comparing the effect of two remodeling suppressant therapies on intracortical porosity in vivo. Denosumab reduced Adenosine remodeling more rapidly, more completely and decreased porosity more than alendronate.
Given the exponential relationship between porosity and bone stiffness, partly reversing cortical porosity is likely to contribute to reductions in fracture risk. Whether this greater reduction in porosity translates into better anti-fracture efficacy will require additional comparator trials. This study was funded by Amgen Inc. RM Zebaze has received grant and/or research support from Amgen and speaker fees from Servier. RM Zebaze is one of the inventors of the StrAx1.0 algorithm and a director of Straxcorp. C Libanati is an employee of Amgen and has received Amgen stock or stock options. M Austin is an employee of Amgen and has received Amgen stock or stock options. A Ghasem-Zadeh is one of the inventors of the StrAx1.0 algorithm.