Investigating how pausing bisphosphonate treatment affects bone quality and strength.
Official title: Renewed bone remodeling after pausing long-term bisphosphonate use: Does it replace regions of impaired bone quality and restore mechanical integrity?
Funded at City College of New York · NIH-10920384 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at what happens to bone health when postmenopausal women take a break from their long-term bisphosphonate treatment, to see if it helps their bones heal and become stronger.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | City College of New York NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $492,191 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR081381-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10920384 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are postmenopausal women who have been on long-term bisphosphonate therapy and are considering a treatment pause.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not on bisphosphonate therapy or those with conditions unrelated to bone health may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the effects of stopping long-term bisphosphonate treatment, which is commonly used to prevent bone loss in postmenopausal women. The study aims to understand whether this 'drug holiday' allows the body to repair and replace damaged bone tissue. Researchers will use animal models to analyze changes in bone quality, composition, and strength after pausing treatment, focusing on how this impacts the risk of fractures. By examining the biological processes involved, the study seeks to fill a critical gap in knowledge regarding bone health after bisphosphonate use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for osteoporosis, enhancing bone quality and reducing fracture risk for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that drug holidays can have beneficial effects on bone remodeling, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
City College of New York
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schaffler, Mitchell B — City College of New York
- Study coordinator: Schaffler, Mitchell B
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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.