[Wnt pathway and sclerostin as new targets for assessment and treatment of osteoporosis]

Abstract

The increasing knowledge of bone biology has allowed the identification of new intracellular pathways involved in the regulation of remodelling and osteoblast activity. In this respect, the characterization of the Wnt pathway has been a breakthrough for its involvement and role in disorders of mineral metabolism. A better understanding of these signaling pathways may allow the development of new diagnostic markers and new drugs for metabolic bone disease, where despite extensive available therapies, unmet needs still persist. In this review, we make an approach to the discovery and functions of the Wnt pathway with a focus on bone effects. Next, we briefly review the main data about their endogenous antagonist, sclerostin, precisely where drug research is more advanced.