Section Review: Oncologic,Endocrine & Metabolic: Drugs in development for the treatment of metabolic bone disease

The development of potent inhibitors of bone resorption has revolutionised the treatment of common metabolic bone diseases. In the near future, bisphosphonates provide the best means to achieve appropriate clinical responses in Paget's disease and tumour-related bone diseases. In addition to bisphosphonates, newer forms of oestrogen replacement have a future role for the treatment of osteoporosis, because of potential cardiovascular benefits. In the longer term, agents that directly increase bone formation and density may become available, and have a greater role in the treatment of patients with more established osteoporosis.