Therapeutic patenting for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis

Abstract

Despite the introduction of new agents glucocorticoids remain the most important class of anti-inflammatory drugs and glucocorticoid usage continues to increase. One of the major side effects with this class of drugs, however, is the development of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP), a condition of reduced bone mass and increased liability to fracture in a proportion of individuals treated. Despite this clear association it remains difficult to predict GIOP risk in an individual. The pathophysiology underlying GIOP is quite distinct from that of postmenopausal osteoporosis and many therapeutic agents used in postmenopausal osteoporosis have poor responses in GIOP. Therapeutic success in this area has so far been achieved using bone resorption inhibitors, particularly bisphosphonates, which are effective at preventing bone loss. New insights into the molecular basis of osteoclast activation are likely to lead to the development of additional bone resorption inhibitors. However, agents which stimulate bone formation and can therefore replace lost bone would have significant advantages over resorption inhibitors. This review evaluates patenting in the area of GIOP and discusses the technologies most likely to be applicable to the treatment of the condition. Recent patents relating to agents that inhibit bone resorption or stimulate bone formation are reviewed, as are patents relating to combinations of these agents.