New Osteoporosis Drug

In a study of 412 postmenopausal women with low bone-mineral density, those who received injections every three to six months of denosumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody (a synthesized antibody identical to human antibodies), had a 3% to 6.7% increase in lumbar spine bone density after one year. This response was similar to—or slightly greater than—that in women taking once-weekly alendronate (Fosamax), the most commonly prescribed osteoporosis drug. The FDA will review denosumab after additional testing.