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A new
treatment for osteoporosis under development is expected to
provide a significant option for patients suffering from the
condition.
The new
drug, parathyroid hormone (PTH), is anabolic and directly
stimulates bone formation. The treatment is considered more
powerful than current anti-resorptive treatments, which block
bone resorption.
"The
increase in bone density over two to three years may be 15
percent with PTH, rather than six percent with the current
therapies," said Dr. John Bilezikian, Professor of Medicine
at Columbia University. "However, for people who are
taking an osteoporosis drug that is working there may not
be any reason to switch."
Bilezikian
presented the latest studies and options in osteoporosis care
at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Annual
Meeting in Chicago.
U.S. Food
and Drug Administration approval for PTH is expected later
in 2002.
Source:
Medical Week staff,
week of May 12, 2002
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