Parathyroid Hormone and Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein Analogs as Therapies for Osteoporosis

Osteoporotic fractures result in significant morbidity and mortality. Anabolic agents reverse the negative skeletal balance that characterizes osteoporosis by stimulating osteoblast-dependent bone formation to a greater degree than osteoclast-dependent bone resorption. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) are peptide hormones, which have anabolic actions when administered intermittently. The only FDA-approved anabolic bone agent for the treatment of osteoporosis in the United States is PTH 1-34, or teriparatide, administered by daily subcutaneous injections. However, PTH 1-84 is also available in Europe. Synthetic human PTHrP 1-36 and a PTHrP 1-34 analog, BA058, have also been shown to increase lumbar spine bone density. These agents and several other PTH and PTHrP analogs, including some which are not administered as injections, continue to be investigated as potential anabolic therapies for osteoporosis.