Insights into new targets and promising treatments for musculoskeletal disease

Great progress has been made in the understanding of the genes and molecular pathways that contribute to the pathogenesis of bone and muscle diseases. As a result of these advances, several new molecular targets have been identified for drug design - knowledge which is being harnessed for the development of new treatment options for sarcopenia and metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis, hypophosphataemic rickets, and hypophosphatasia.

A special issue of 'Calcified Tissue International and Musculoskeletal Research' now highlights some of the most notable advances that have occurred in this fast developing area in seven insightful reviews.

The issue includes the following editorial and reviews:

Editorial: New targets and new treatments for musculoskeletal disease

S. Ralston, R. Rizzolihttp://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00223-016-0127-5

Pharmacologic Options for the Treatment of Sarcopenia

John E. Morleyhttp://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00223-015-0022-5

FGF23-FGF Receptor/Klotho Pathway as a New Drug Target for Disorders of Bone and Mineral Metabolism

Seiji Fukumoto http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00223-015-0029-y

Calcimimetic and Calcilytic Drugs: Feats, Flops, and Futures

E. F. Nemeth, W. G. Goodmanhttp://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00223-015-0052-z

Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein Analogs as Osteoporosis Therapies

Pedro Esbrit, Sabina Herrera, Sergio Portal-Núñez, Xavier Nogués, Adolfo Díez-Pérezhttp://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00223-015-0050-1

Sclerostin inhibition in the management of osteoporosis

Natasha M. Appelman-Dijkstra, Socrates E. Papapouloshttp://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00223-016-0126-6

Cathepsin K Inhibition: A New Mechanism for the Treatment of Osteoporosis

Le T. Duong, Albert T. Leung, Bente Langdahlhttp://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00223-015-0051-0

Alkaline Phosphatase and Hypophosphatasia

José Luis Millán, Michael P. Whytehttp://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00223-015-0079-1

All papers will be freely accessible from April 6 - 22, 2016

Prof. Stuart Ralston, Arthritis Research UK Chair of Rheumatology and Clinical Director of the Rheumatology Service at the University of Edinburgh, stated, "These invited reviews by leading experts in the field will help interested clinicians gain a comprehensive understanding of this complex and fast moving area of research, with its related advances in drug development. The good news is that many of the new therapeutic options discussed in the reviews may be available in the not-too-distant future, offering patients a greater choice of effective treatments."

Source: International Osteoporosis Foundation