Targeting the Wnt signaling pathway for the development of novel therapies for osteoporosis

Abstract

A number of anti-osteoporotic drugs, predominantly inhibitors of bone resorption, are currently used in the management of patients with osteoporosis to reduce the risk of fractures. While the management of the disease has improved significantly, there are still unmet needs, mainly due to a lack of agents able to replace bone that has already been lost. Human and animal genetics have identified the pivotal role of the Wnt signaling pathway in the regulation of bone formation by the osteoblasts and have made it a very attractive target for the development of novel treatments for osteoporosis. In this article, we review evidence that supports the targeting of components of the Wnt signaling pathway for the design of bone-forming treatments for osteoporosis.

Keywords::

• novel treatments
• osteoporosis
• sclerostin
• Wnt signaling

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Studies of sclerostin in the authors’ laboratory are supported by the European Commission; Grant: EU FP7 (TALOS:Health-F2–2008–201099). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.