The use of anabolic agents in the treatment of osteoporosis: a clinical update.

Purpose of review: Anabolic therapies have revolutionized the management of patients with osteoporosis, especially those at very high fracture risk. The current review offers valuable insights into the latest evidence and guidelines on the use of anabolic agents, focusing on their comparative efficacy, safety profiles, and optimal implementation in clinical practice.

Recent findings: Romosozumab, abaloparatide, and teriparatide have shown superior efficacy when compared to antiresorptive therapies in increasing bone mineral density and reducing fracture risk. Notably, sequential treatment strategies, commencing with an anabolic agent followed by an antiresorptive, has emerged as an effective approach for both rapid and sustained reduction of fracture risk in patients at high risk. Additionally, anabolics have shown potential in improving outcomes for patients who have a suboptimal response to antiresorptives. Careful patient selection and vigilant monitoring are essential to optimize therapeutic benefits while mitigating the potential risks. As we gain more clinical experience with these agents, we will better understand how to use them effectively, as part of long term, sequential treatment strategies. Ongoing research into novel anabolic therapies and innovative treatment sequences holds promise for expanding our toolkit against fragility fractures.

Summary: Integrating anabolic agents into personalized treatment plans has the potential to significantly improve outcomes and quality of life for patients with severe osteoporosis, highlighting the importance of this therapeutic class in the management of this chronic condition.