Health
Injected osteoporosis drug shows effectiveness
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 25, 2004
After one year, twice yearly injections of AMG 162, an experimental compound in phase II trials, increased bone density at levels comparable to alendronate, the standard treatment for osteoporosis, according to a paper presented this month at the annual meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research in Seattle.
Researchers at the Oregon Osteoporosis Center in Portland randomized postmenopausal women with low bone density to receive either one of the drugs or a placebo. After 12 months of treatment, AMG 162 increased bone mineral density at the lumbar spine by 4% to 7%, depending on the dosage schedule. Weekly doses of alendronate increased it by 5%.
"The medical community should be very encouraged by these data that suggest AMG 162 ... may offer a promising alternative for the treatment of osteoporosis," said Michael McClung, MD, lead investigator and founding director of the center.
Amgen, AMG 162's manufacturer, will now be moving the drug to a phase III study.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/10/25/hlbf1025.htm.
