Vitamin D and Calcium Are Required during Denosumab Treatment in Osteoporosis with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Regulation of bone homeostasis: signaling pathways and therapeutic targets

As a highly dynamic tissue, bone is continuously rebuilt throughout life. Both bone formation by osteoblasts and bone resorption by osteoclasts constitute bone reconstruction homeostasis. The equilibrium of bone homeostasis is governed by many complicated signaling pathways that weave together to form an intricate network. These pathways coordinate the meticulous processes of bone formation and resorption, ensuring the structural integrity and dynamic vitality of the skeletal system. Dysregulation of the bone homeostatic regulatory signaling network contributes to the development and progression of many skeletal diseases. Significantly, imbalanced bone homeostasis further disrupts the signaling network and triggers a cascade reaction that exacerbates disease progression and engenders a deleterious cycle. Here, we summarize the influence of signaling pathways on bone homeostasis, elucidating the interplay and crosstalk among them. Additionally, we review the mechanisms underpinning bone homeostatic imbalances across diverse disease landscapes, highlighting current and prospective therapeutic targets and clinical drugs. We hope that this review will contribute to a holistic understanding of the signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms sustaining bone homeostasis, which are promising to contribute to further research on bone homeostasis and shed light on the development of targeted drugs.

The effect of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) on bone homeostasis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients

The autoimmune disease known as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been linked to the deterioration of bone. Bone erosion is a hallmark of RA and is linked to the severity of the disease as well as a poor functional result. Erosion of periarticular cortical bone is a common feature seen on plain radiographs of patients with RA. This characteristic feature is the result of excessive bone resorption and inadequate formation of bone. It has been determined that there is a complex interaction between the inflammatory condition seen in RA and bone destruction. Increased knowledge of the pathways and other mechanisms involved in osteoclastogenesis has resulted from advances in both animal and clinical investigations. Also, Biological and targeted medicines have modified RA's bone metabolism. Here, we provide a narrative overview of the literature on the pathomechanisms of bone structure involved in biological and targeted treatments for RA and also, the clinical implications of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are discussed. In light of the fact that these newer treatments present patients with RA with new possibilities for disease improvement and symptom control, it is imperative that additional rigorous evidence be gathered to provide a clinical reference for both patients and their treating physicians.

Therapeutic efficacy of denosumab for rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Denosumab is used for osteoporosis because it inhibits osteoclast maturation and suppresses bone resorption. Although denosumab is expected to inhibit the bone erosion in RA, its therapeutic efficacy is not well established. The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of denosumab on RA through a meta-analysis.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus were searched for original studies providing information on BMD, joint destruction and disease activity in denosumab-treated RA. A random-effects model was used in the meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 367 studies identified, 18 met the selection criteria. The BMDs of the lumbar spine, total hip and femoral neck at 12 months after denosumab treatment increased by 5.27% (95% CI: 4.37, 6.18), 2.82% (2.46, 3.18) and 3.07% (2.66, 3.48), respectively. In the sensitivity analysis, age and sex tended to influence the effect of denosumab therapy on the rate of variation of BMD, but not glucocorticoid use. The changes in the modified total sharp, erosion and joint space narrowing scores at 12 months after denosumab treatment were significantly smaller with denosumab than with placebo, although the DAS did not change after denosumab treatment.

CONCLUSION

Although denosumab has an inhibitory effect on the bone resorption in RA, its effects might be influenced by the age and sex of RA patients, but not by glucocorticoid use.

Vaccine of RANKL mutant conjugated with KLH effectively stabilizing bone metabolism and preventing trabecular microstructural degeneration in osteoporotic rats

Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) is one of the key factors regulating the maturation of osteoclasts and an important target for osteoporosis treatment. A monoclonal antibody against RANKL showed effective therapeutic activity against osteoporosis by inhibiting bone resorption by osteoclasts. However, being an exogenous protein, its efficacy decreases after long-term use, and its discontinuation increases the risk of vertebral fractures. Here, we aimed to design an active immunotherapeutic agent to induce a T-cell dependent primary response. The agent, a mutant RANKL vaccine (mRv), was produced by cross-linking mutant RANKL, lacking the ability to stimulate osteoclast maturation, with the carrier protein keyhole limpet hemocyanin, a neo-antigen with a large molecular mass. Subcutaneous injection of mRv stimulated rats with ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis to produce high titers of anti-RANKL antibodies. The mutant RANKL vaccine decreased serum CTX-1 and BALP levels and inhibited the microstructural degeneration of trabecular bone in osteoporotic rats. mRv overcame immune system tolerance, stimulated rats to produce therapeutic antibodies, stabilized bone metabolism, and inhibited trabecular microstructural degeneration. These findings confirm the potential of the mutant RANKL vaccine to be developed into an effective preventive and therapeutic agent for osteoporosis.

Role of natural products in alleviation of rheumatoid arthritis-A review

Rheumatoid arthritis (RHA) is one of the most prevalent complex, chronic, inflammatory diseases, manifested by elevated oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers. Prolonged administration of NSAIDs, steroids, and DMARDs, used in the treatment of RHA, is associated with deleterious side effects. This necessitates the urge of new and safe approaches for RHA management, based on the complementary and alternative system of medicine. Documented evidences have suggested that supplementation with nutritional, dietary, and herbal components; can play a crucial role as an adjuvant, in the alleviation of the RHA symptoms, through their influence on the pathological inflammatory processes. Dietary phenolic compounds, flavonoids, carotenoids, and alkaloids with their ability to modulate prooxidant and pro-inflammatory pathways, have been effective in delaying the arthritic disease progression. Moreover, in scientific explorations, herbs containing phenolic compounds, alkaloids, carotenoids flavonoids, spices such as ginger, turmeric, Ayurvedic formulations, different diets such as Mediterranean diet, vegan diet, beverages, and oils such as sesame oil, rice bran oil, vitamins, and probiotics are proven to modulate the action of inflammatory molecules, involved in RHA pathology. Subsequently, the purpose of this review article is to summarize various in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies in RHA, which have documented remarkable insights into the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and immunomodulatory, bone erosion preventing properties of dietary, nutritional, and herbal components with the focus on their molecular level mechanisms involved in RHA. Even though major findings were derived from in vitro studies, several in vivo and clinical studies have established the use of diet, herbal, and nutritional management in RHA treatment. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Thickening of the synovial membrane, bone erosion, and cartilage destruction is known to trigger rheumatoid arthritis causing inflammation and pain in bone joints. Continuous intake of NSAIDs, steroids, and DMARD therapy are associated with detrimental side effects. These side effects can be overcome by the use of dietary, nutritional, and herbal interventions based on the complementary and alternative therapy. This concept portrays the food components and other natural components having the potential to promote health, improve general well-being, and reduce the risk of RHA.

Pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic strategies in difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic literature review informing the EULAR recommendations for the management of difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVES

To summarise, by a systematic literature review (SLR), the evidence regarding pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic strategies in difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis (D2T RA), informing the EULAR recommendations for the management of D2T RA.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched up to December 2019. Relevant papers were selected and appraised.

RESULTS

Two hundred seven (207) papers studied therapeutic strategies. Limited evidence was found on effective and safe disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in patients with comorbidities and other contraindications that limit DMARD options (patients with obesity, hepatitis B and C, risk of venous thromboembolisms, pregnancy and lactation). In patients who previously failed biological (b-)DMARDs, all currently used b/targeted synthetic (ts-)DMARDs were found to be more effective than placebo. In patients who previously failed a tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi), there was a tendency of non-TNFi bDMARDs to be more effective than TNFis. Generally, effectiveness decreased in patients who previously failed a higher number of bDMARDs. Additionally, exercise, psychological, educational and self-management interventions were found to improve non-inflammatory complaints (mainly functional disability, pain, fatigue), education to improve goal setting, and self-management programmes, educational and psychological interventions to improve self-management.The identified evidence had several limitations: (1) no studies were found in patients with D2T RA specifically, (2) heterogeneous outcome criteria were used and (3) most studies had a moderate or high risk of bias.

CONCLUSIONS

This SLR underscores the scarcity of high-quality evidence on the pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of patients with D2T RA. Effectiveness of b/tsDMARDs decreased in RA patients who had failed a higher number of bDMARDs and a subsequent b/tsDMARD of a previously not targeted mechanism of action was somewhat more effective. Additionally, a beneficial effect of non-pharmacological interventions was found for improvement of non-inflammatory complaints, goal setting and self-management.

A Systematic Review of the Guidelines and Delphi Study for the Multifactorial Fall Risk Assessment of Community-Dwelling Elderly

As falls are among the most common causes of injury for the elderly, the prevention and early intervention are necessary. Fall assessment tools that include a variety of factors are recommended for preventing falls, but there is a lack of such tools. This study developed a multifactorial fall risk assessment tool based on current guidelines and validated it from the perspective of professionals. We followed the Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology’s guidelines in this systematic review. We used eight international and five Korean databases to search for appropriate guidelines. Based on the review results, we conducted the Delphi survey in three rounds; one open round and two scoring rounds. About nine experts in five professional areas participated in the Delphi study. We included nine guidelines. After conducting the Delphi study, the final version of the “Multifactorial Fall Risk Assessment tool for Community-Dwelling Older People” (MFA-C) has 36 items in six factors; general characteristics, behavior factors, disease history, medication history, physical function, and environmental factors. The validity of the MFA-C tool was largely supported by various academic fields. It is expected to be beneficial to the elderly in the community when it comes to tailored interventions to prevent falls.

Determination of serum bone-related minerals during denosumab treatment in osteoporosis patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Mineral change by denosumab in osteoporosis with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVES

This study included 51 osteoporosis patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were treated with anti-resorption drug, denosumab. To date, there has been no report on the changes of bone-related minerals after anti-resorption drug therapy.

METHODS

Fifty one osteoporotic patients with RA were retrospectively enrolled. Serum Zinc (Zn), Magnesium (Mg), Iron (Fe), and Copper (Cu) were examined at 1 week, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 months. Lumbar spine (L1-4) bone mineral density (L-BMD), and bilateral total hip BMD (H-BMD) were examined before and at 6 and 12 months after treatment commencement.

RESULTS

Serum Fe gradually increased except at 4 and 10 months, and significantly increased at 12 months. Serum Mg slightly decreased at 1 week and 1 month, then increased up to 4 months, then gradually decreased to 8 months, then increased thereafter. Serum Zn significantly increased at every time point except at 1 week during the period. Serum Cu increased during the period but slightly decreased at 2, 8, and 12 months. L-BMD as well as H-BMD significantly increased at 12 months (5.1% and 5.1%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Denosumab might be a good option to improve bone-related minerals in OP patients with RA even without dietary supplement. Serum Fe and Mg values became approximately within normal range after the therapy. On the other hand, serum Zn significantly increased for 12 months, however, the Zn values showed still low status after the treatment. Thus, Zn supplementation and/or nutrition education are basically required for OP patients with RA, even though denosumab increases serum Zn level.

Vitamin D as a Principal Factor in Mediating Rheumatoid Arthritis-Derived Immune Response

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic multifactorial autoimmune disorder. The interactions between diverse environmental and genetic factors lead to the onset of this complex autoimmune disorder. Serum levels of vitamin D (VD) are involved in the regulation of various immune responses. Vitamin D is a key signaling molecule in the human body that maintains calcium as well as phosphate homeostasis. It also regulates the functions of the immune system and, thus, can play a substantial role in the etiology of various autoimmune disorders, including RA. Low serum VD levels have been found to be associated with a higher risk of RA, although this finding has not been replicated consistently. The molecular mechanisms by which VD influences autoimmunity need to be further explored to understand how variation in plasma VD levels could affect the pathogenesis of RA. This mini-review focuses on the influence of VD and its serum levels on RA susceptibility, RA-associated complexities, treatment, and transcriptome products of key proinflammatory cytokines, along with other cytokines that are key regulators of inflammation in rheumatoid joints.

Efficacy of denosumab in two cases with multiple-system atrophy and osteoporosis

Background

Multiple-system atrophy (MSA) is an α-synucleinopathy with a very aggressive course and poor prognosis, which lacks efficient treatment. Thus, MSA represents a serious health and social problem. Progressive stridor and acute laryngeal obstruction likely occur in MSA; however, little is known about the bone metabolism or efficacy of bone absorption drugs, such as denosumab, in osteoporosis with MSA.

Case presentation and methods

Two male patients with osteoporosis in MSA presented to our institution (at 54 and 68 years of age). Denosumab was started after the diagnosis of osteoporosis in MSA, and the therapy was continued for 18–24 months.

Results

Lumbar and hip bone mineral density showed a 3.5% and 0.6% increase at 24 months or a 10.3% and 3.2% increase at 18 months, respectively. Bone turnover markers were also improved in the two cases during follow-up. No fractures or other complications were recorded during the observation period.

Conclusion

This is the first study describing osteoporosis in two patients with MSA being treated by osteoporotic treatment. Based on our findings, it can be concluded that denosumab may be an effective therapy for osteoporosis in MSA.

Effects of denosumab on bone metabolism and bone mineral density with anti-TNF inhibitors, tocilizumab, or abatacept in osteoporosis with rheumatoid arthritis

Introduction

The aim of this 18-month retrospective study was to evaluate the differences in outcomes of denosumab with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors (TNFis), tocilizumab (TCZ), or abatacept (ABT) treatment in osteoporosis (OP) patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Patients and methods

Patients were divided into TNFis-treated (TNF group; 44 cases), TCZ-treated (TCZ group; 8 cases), or ABT-treated (ABT group; 14 cases) groups. We measured serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b) at baseline and every 3 months for 18 months and assessed bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar 1–4 vertebrae (L-BMD) and total hip BMD (H-BMD) at baseline and every 6 months for 18 months.

Results

There were no significant differences in the percent changes in BAP, TRACP-5b, or L-BMD among the groups. The percent change in H-BMD was significantly increased in the TCZ group at 12 months or at 12 and 18 months, compared with that in the ABT group or TNF group, respectively. The percent change in L-BMD was significantly increased at 12 months in the TCZ and TNF groups, and at 18 months in all the 3 groups compared with pretreatment levels, whereas the percent change in H-BMD was significantly higher at 6, 12, and 18 months in the TCZ group, at 12 and 18 months in the TNF group, and at 18 months in the ABT group, compared with pretreatment levels.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that TCZ might be more useful than TNF or ABT in light of the observed H-BMD increases with denosumab therapy for OP patients with RA.

Serum bone alkaline phosphatase is a useful marker to evaluate lumbar bone mineral density in Japanese postmenopausal osteoporotic women during denosumab treatment

A worldwide health concern, osteoporosis (OP), increases the risk of bone fracture and results in morbidity. This study examined whether the representative bone absorption marker serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b) or bone formation marker bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) could estimate primary OP status and denosumab efficacy in a real-world setting. We retrospectively enrolled 114 female postmenopausal primary OP patients in Japan. Values and percent changes in TRACP-5b, BAP, lumbar 1-4 bone mineral density (L-BMD), and total hip BMD (H-BMD) were assessed before treatment and at 4, 8, and 12 months of therapy to identify the correlations between the percent changes in bone metabolic markers and BMD. We also established two sets of subgroups based on the upper limits of reference values in Japan for serum: TRACP-5b (<420 mU/dL) and (≥420 mU/dL) and BAP (<14.5 µg/L) and (≥14.5 µg/L). Negative correlations were observed for the percent changes of TRACP-5b and H-BMD at 4 months (r=-0.3476) and 8 months (r=-0.3880), for the percent changes of BAP and H-BMD at 8 months (r=-0.3354), and for the percent changes of BAP and L-BMD at 12 months (r=-0.3186). We observed a significant difference between the subgroups for the percent changes of L-BMD at 8 months (p=0.013) and 12 months (p=0.004) in BAP values. These results suggest that TRACP-5b and BAP had negative correlations with BMD, and that BAP represented a useful serum marker to evaluate L-BMD during denosumab therapy for OP.

Skeletal complications of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with local and systemic inflammation that induces many changes in the skeletal health. Locally, periarticular bone loss and juxta-articular bone erosions may occur while joint ankylosis, generalized bone loss, osteoporosis, and fractures may develop secondary to inflammation. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize the clinical evidence for abnormal skeletal health in RA, the effects of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS) on bone health, and the effects of drugs for the prevention or treatment of osteoporosis in the RA population.

Denosumab significantly improves bone mineral density with or without bisphosphonate pre-treatment in osteoporosis with rheumatoid arthritis : Denosumab improves bone mineral density in osteoporosis with rheumatoid arthritis

Bone mineral density (BMD) sometimes cannot be improved by long-term bisphosphonate (BP) therapy in osteoporosis (OP) patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study showed that BMD significantly increased after denosumab treatment in patients with long-term BP pre-treatment as much as in treatment-naïve patients. Thus, denosumab can be a strong OP treatment option for long-term BP pre-treated RA patients.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this 24-month retrospective study was to evaluate differences in outcomes of denosumab with or without bisphosphonate (BP) pre-treatment in osteoporosis (OP) patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

Patients were divided into those with (BP group, 26 cases) or without (denosumab group, 26 cases) BP pre-treatment. We measured serum BAP, TRACP-5b, and urinary NTX at baseline and every 3 months for 24 months. We also assessed bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar 1-4 vertebrae (L-BMD) and total hip BMD (H-BMD) at baseline and every 6 months for 24 months. MMP-3, DAS28-CRP, SDAI, and HAQ-DI were assessed at baseline and 24 months to evaluate RA state.

RESULTS

In BP group, the percent changes of bone turnover markers decreased but were consistently higher compared with those in the denosumab group. There were significant differences of the percent changes in BAP at 9, 21, and 24 months; TRACP-5b at 9, 18, and 21 months; and urinary NTX at 3, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 21 months between the groups. The percent changes of L-BMD and H-BMD were significantly increased at 24 months in the BP pre-treated group (11.5 and 13.3%, respectively) and denosumab group (13.0 and 16.5%, respectively). There was a significant difference of the percent changes in H-BMD at 6 months between the groups. There was no significant difference in RA state between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with BP group, denosumab group displayed significantly increased H-BMD at 6 months, while L-BMD and H-BMD were significantly increased for 24 months in both groups. Thus, regardless of BP pre-treatment, denosumab could be a good agent in OP with RA.