Cardiovascular Safety and Sclerostin Inhibition

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Sclerostin, which is primarily produced by the osteocytes, inhibits the canonical Wnt pathway and thereby the osteoblasts and stimulates RANKL release by the osteocytes and thereby osteoclast recruitment. Inhibition of sclerostin therefore causes stimulation of bone formation and inhibition of resorption. In clinical trials, romosozumab, an antibody against sclerostin, increases bone mineral density and reduces the risk of fractures compared with placebo and alendronate. The cardiovascular safety of romosozumab was adjudicated in 2 large clinical osteoporosis trials in postmenopausal women. Compared with placebo, the incidence of cardiovascular events was similar in the 2 treatment groups. Compared with alendronate, the incidence of serious cardiovascular events was higher in women treated with romosozumab. The incidence of serious cardiovascular adverse events was low and post hoc analyses should therefore be interpreted with caution; however, the relative risk seemed unaffected by preexisting cardiovascular disease or risk factors. Sclerostin is expressed in the vasculature, predominantly in vascular smooth muscle cells in the media. However, preclinical and genetic studies have not demonstrated any increased cardiovascular risk with continuously low sclerostin levels or inhibition of sclerostin. Furthermore, no potential mechanisms for such an effect have been identified. In conclusion, while there is no preclinical or genetic evidence of a harmful effect of sclerostin inhibition on cardiovascular safety, the evidence from the large clinical trials in postmenopausal women is conflicting. Romosozumab should therefore be used for the treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at high risk of fracture after careful consideration of the cardiovascular risk and the balance between benefits and risks.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1845-1853
Number of pages9
JournalThe Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism
Volume106
Issue number7
Publication statusPublished - 16 Jun 2021
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85108320322
ORCID /0000-0002-8691-8423/work/142236037

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/antagonists & inhibitors, Antibodies, Monoclonal/adverse effects, Bone Density/drug effects, Bone Density Conservation Agents/adverse effects, Cardiovascular Diseases/chemically induced, Cardiovascular System/drug effects, Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic, Female, Heart Disease Risk Factors, Humans, Middle Aged, Osteogenesis/drug effects, Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal/complications, Osteoporotic Fractures/etiology, Product Surveillance, Postmarketing, Proportional Hazards Models, Risk