Temporal patterns of osteoclast formation and activity following withdrawal of RANKL inhibition

Abstract Rebound bone loss following denosumab discontinuation is an important clinical challenge. Current treatment strategies to prevent this fail to suppress the rise and overshoot in osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. In this present study, we use a murine model of denosumab treatment and discontinuation to show the temporal changes in osteoclast formation and activity during RANKL inhibition and withdrawal. We show that the cellular processes that drive the formation of osteoclasts and subsequent bone resorption following withdrawal of RANKL inhibition precede the rebound bone loss. Furthermore, a rise in serum TRAP and RANKL levels are detected before markers of bone turnover used in current clinical practice. These mechanistic advances may provide insight into a more defined window of opportunity to intervene with sequential therapy following denosumab discontinuation.