How bone cells called osteocytes respond to anabolic osteoporosis treatments
The role of the osteocyte in responses to osteoporosis anabolic treatment in humans and mice
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · NIH-11260284
This work looks at how bone-building osteoporosis drugs change osteocytes in postmenopausal women and in mice.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11260284 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you take part, the team will analyze bone biopsy samples from postmenopausal women who receive anabolic osteoporosis drugs and compare early versus later treatment time points. They will also use mouse models with specific changes in osteocyte signaling to mirror and probe human findings. The project uses detailed 3-D imaging of bone, molecular analyses of osteocytes, and bioinformatics to combine the human and mouse results. Together these approaches aim to reveal how osteocytes drive the bone-building response and why that response declines over time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who are receiving or eligible for anabolic therapy and willing to provide bone biopsy samples and follow-up visits.
Not a fit: People without osteoporosis, men, or those unwilling/unable to have bone biopsies or to travel to study visits may not be eligible or directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify new targets or strategies to make bone-building treatments work better and longer, potentially lowering fracture risk.
How similar studies have performed: Mouse studies have shown osteocytes are key to anabolic responses, but applying detailed human biopsy and comparative analyses is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BARON, ROLAND E — MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- Study coordinator: BARON, ROLAND E
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.