Odanacatib in the treatment of postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density: five years of continued therapy in a phase 2 study

Odanacatib (ODN) is a selective inhibitor of the collagenase cathepsin K that is highly expressed by osteoclasts. In this 2-year, phase 2, dose-ranging trial, postmenopausal women with bone mineral density (BMD) T-scores -2.0 to -3.5 at spine or hip were randomized to weekly placebo or ODN 3, 10, 25, or 50 mg plus vitamin D(3) and calcium. Prespecified trial-extensions continued through 5 years. In year 3, all women were re-randomized to ODN 50 mg or placebo. For years 4 and 5, women who received placebo or ODN 3 mg in years 1 and 2 and placebo in year 3 received ODN 50 mg; others continued year 3 treatments. Endpoints included lumbar spine (primary), hip, 1/3 radius, and total body BMD; markers of bone metabolism; and safety. Women in the year 4 to 5 extension receiving placebo (n = 41) or ODN 50 mg (n = 100) had similar baseline characteristics. For women who received ODN (10-50 mg) for 5 years, spine and hip BMD increased over time. With ODN 50 mg continually for 5 years (n = 13), mean lumbar spine BMD percent change from baseline (95% confidence interval [CI]) was 11.9% (7.2% to 16.5%) versus -0.4% (-3.1% to 2.3%) for women who were switched from ODN 50 mg to placebo after 2 years (n = 14). In pooled results of women receiving continuous ODN (10-50 mg, n = 26-29), year 5 geometric mean percent changes from baseline in bone resorption markers cross-linked N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX)/creatinine and cross-linked C-telopeptide (CTX) were approximately -55%, but near baseline for bone formation markers bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) and amino-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (P1NP). In women switched from ODN 10 to 50 mg to placebo after 2 years (n = 25), bone turnover markers were near baseline. In summary, women receiving combinations of ODN (10-50 mg) for 5 years had gains in spine and hip BMD and showed larger reductions in bone resorption than bone formation markers. Discontinuation of ODN resulted in reversal of treatment effects. Treatment with ODN for up to 5 years was generally well-tolerated.