The receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL)/RANK/osteoprotegerin system is dysregulated in hyperparathyroid bone diseases. The introduction of denosumab preceding elective surgery as an alternative option when surgery is not possible immediately.
Introduction: The effects of denosumab on vascular calcification in patients with chronic renal failure and low bone mass have been a subject of interest. Therefore, this investigation aimed to determine the short-term changes in vascular calcification after denosumab treatment using a serial electrocardiography-gated computed tomography (CT) to measure coronary artery calcification (CAC) in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) and low bone mass.
Methods: This 6-month study enrolled patients with SHPT and low bone mass (T-score < - 2.5) owing to dialysis. The 2 groups administered denosumab at a dose of 60 mg (denosumab group), and conventional treatment (control group) had 21 patients each. All patients underwent CT scans at baseline and at the follow-up examination at 6 months to determine the bone mineral density and CAC.
Results: The control group demonstrated a significant increase in Agatston scores (187.79 ± 72.27) (P = 0.004). However, no significant change was noted in the denosumab group (P = 0.41). In the denosumab group, only the baseline serum alkaline phosphatase levels correlated negatively with changes in the CAC score (P = 0.01); the baseline alkaline phosphatase levels were the deciding biomarkers for non-responsive CAC scores by Berry Criteria after denosumab treatment (P = 0.02). The denosumab group demonstrated significantly increased bone mineral density in the femoral neck and lumbar spine (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: The findings provide evidence that denosumab may suppress the progression of CAC and also regress osseous calcification in severe cases of high bone turnover.
Keywords: Denosumab; Secondary hyperparathyroidism; Vascular calcification.