Denosumab for the treatment of joint and bone diseases

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a representative inflammatory disease characterized with systemic, chronic and destructive synovitis and subsequent bone destruction that causes severe disability and mortality. Since joint destruction occurs from the early disease, its diagnosis and treatment have to be done timely. The combinational use of methotrexate and biologics targeting TNF and IL-6 has revolutionized the treatment of RA, producing significant improvements in clinical and structural outcomes. On the other hand, an anti-RANKL antibody denosumab possesses a potential to inhibit joint destruction and peri-articular osteoporosis as well as systemic and glucocorticoid-mediated osteoporosis. Thus, differential efficacy of different therapies in bone destruction and osteoporosis would warrant further study to clarify the mechanisms of bone and joints diseases.