Patent attributes
Inhibitors of bone calcium resorption are administered to allow high doses of vitamin D compounds or mimetics to be given with the intent of treating non-calcium related diseases such as cancer, psoriasis, and autoimmune disease without the dangers of calcification of kidney, heart, and aorta. Inhibitors of bone calcium resorption include the bis-phosphonates, OPG (osteoprotegerin) or the soluble RANKL (receptor activator of NF-κB ligand) receptor known as sRANK (soluble RANK which is the protein expressed by the NF-κB gene), and function to block the availability of calcium from bone thereby preventing hypercalcemia and the resulting calcification of soft tissues. Thus, high doses of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3), its analogs, prodrugs, or mimetics can be utilized with minimal risk to a patient. Specifically, alendronate is shown to block the bone calcium mobilization activity of both 1,25-(OH)2D3 and its very potent analog, 2-methylene -19-nor-(20S)-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.
