Effects of Abaloparatide, a Human Parathyroid Hormone-Related Peptide Analog, on Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis

Context: Abaloparatide is a novel synthetic peptide analog of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) that is currently being developed as a potential anabolic agent in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Objective: This study sought to assess the effects of abaloparatide on bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine, total hip, and femoral neck in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Design: Multi-center, multi-national, double-blind placebo controlled trial in which postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to receive 24 weeks of treatment with daily sc injections of placebo, abaloparatide, 20, 40, or 80 μg, or teriparatide, 20 μg. A 24-week extension was also performed in a subset of subjects. Participants: Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (n = 222). Main Outcome Measures: BMD by dual-x-ray absorptiometry and biochemical markers of bone turnover. Results: At 24 weeks, lumbar spine BMD increased by 2.9, 5.2, and 6.7% in the abaloparatide, 20-, 40-, and 80-μg groups, respecti...