New Bone Breakthroughs




Nov 16, 07:30 pm

New Bone Breakthroughs

     By the time a person hits her mid-30s, some bone loss has occurred, regardless of preventive measures taken. But this decrease is nearly imperceptible for people with healthy skeletal systems. It’s only folklore that tells us shrinking and bone-loss injuries are endemic to old age. As with breast cancer, new research is dispelling the old myths.

     “Major breakthroughs are starting to happen,” says Mundy. “The women’s movement has helped focus attention on major women’s health threats like osteoporosis.”

     Pharmaceutical firms are channeling increasing funds into osteoporosis research, and many doctors predict the affliction will be curable within the next two decades.

     Today, the most effective substance available to fight osteoporosis is estrogen, a female hormone prescribed to deter bone loss. But it’s not without complications. About half the women who start taking it soon stop, complaining of side effects like increased menstrual bleeding, mood swings, PMS and weight gain. And doctors won’t give it to women with a family history of blood clots and certain cancers.

     There are new drugs to fight osteoporosis coming down the pipeline. Raloxifene, for one, promises to deter bone loss without the side effects of estrogen. The drug is being tested now.

     Other techniques are being devised as well. Researchers are studying ways to stimulate skeletal tissue growth with bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). Experiments with BMPs to repair bone fractures are taking place now, and the next step involves trying to rebuild bone mass.

     Researchers also have discovered biomarkers in the blood and urine that can indicate bone loss. This means doctors can learn if a treatment is working years before X-rays are able to tell them.

     Most promising, genetic researchers have discovered a gene that may be responsible for developing bone mass. And subtle variations in the gene may indicate if someone is predisposed to osteoporosis.

     In coming years breakthroughs and increased education should put a big dent in the number of osteoporosis cases. By the time babyboomers roll into their golden years, this bone-thinning malady may be a worry of the past.

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