NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Understanding how bone-building treatments affect specific bone cells in older women

Official title: The role of osteoblast progenitors in response to bone anabolic agents

Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11085959 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how a treatment called romosozumab affects bone health in post-menopausal women by examining bone samples, so we can understand why the benefits of this and another treatment, teriparatide, might decrease over time.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMassachusetts General Hospital
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project startJanuary 1, 2023
Project endDecember 31, 2027
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$408,776
NIH project number5P50AR080596-03
Project IDNIH-11085959 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are post-menopausal women diagnosed with osteoporosis who are receiving or have received anabolic therapy.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not post-menopausal or do not have osteoporosis may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates how anabolic therapies for osteoporosis, specifically romosozumab, impact osteoblast progenitors, which are crucial for bone health. The study will involve collecting bone-related samples from post-menopausal women undergoing treatment to analyze the effects of these therapies. By comparing samples from women treated with romosozumab and another agent, teriparatide, the research aims to uncover why the benefits of these treatments diminish over time. This approach combines clinical data with laboratory analysis to provide insights into bone regeneration.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved osteoporosis treatments that maintain their effectiveness over time.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the effects of anabolic agents on bone health, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

  • Massachusetts General Hospital
    Boston, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Kronenberg, Henry M. — Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Study coordinator: Kronenberg, Henry M.

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.