Effect of Abaloparatide vs Alendronate on Fracture Risk Reduction in Postmenopausal Women With Osteoporosis

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2020 Mar 1;105(3):938-943. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgz162.

Abstract

Context: The ACTIVE study demonstrated the antifracture efficacy of abaloparatide in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. ACTIVExtend demonstrated sustained fracture risk reduction with alendronate in abaloparatide-treated participants from ACTIVE. A direct comparison of the efficacy of abaloparatide and antiresorptive therapies has not been performed.

Objective: The objective of this analysis is to compare the antifracture efficacy of abaloparatide in ACTIVE with that of alendronate in ACTIVExtend.

Design: In this post hoc analysis, the rate of new vertebral fractures for women in ACTIVExtend (N = 1139) was calculated based on baseline and endpoint radiographs for placebo or abaloparatide in ACTIVE and alendronate in ACTIVExtend. Vertebral fracture rates between abaloparatide and alendronate were compared in a Poisson regression model. Fracture rates for nonvertebral and clinical fractures were compared based on a Poisson model during 18 months of abaloparatide or placebo treatment in ACTIVE and 18 months of alendronate treatment in ACTIVExtend.

Results: The vertebral fracture rate was lower during abaloparatide treatment in ACTIVE (0.47 fractures/100 patient-years) than alendronate treatment in ACTIVExtend (1.66 fractures/100 patient-years) (relative risk reduction 71%; P = .027). Although the comparisons did not meet statistical significance, after switching from placebo (ACTIVE) to alendronate (ACTIVExtend), the rate of new vertebral fractures decreased from 2.49 to 1.66 fractures per 100 patient-years, and after switching from abaloparatide to alendronate from 0.47 to 0.19 fractures per 100 patient-years. The rates of nonvertebral fractures and clinical fractures were not significantly different.

Conclusion: Initial treatment with abaloparatide may result in greater vertebral fracture reduction compared with alendronate in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01343004 NCT01657162.

Keywords: abaloparatide; alendronate; nonvertebral fractures; osteoporosis; vertebral fractures.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase III
  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alendronate / administration & dosage*
  • Alendronate / adverse effects
  • Bone Density / drug effects
  • Bone Density / physiology
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / adverse effects
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / adverse effects
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / methods
  • Female
  • Femur Neck / diagnostic imaging
  • Femur Neck / drug effects
  • Femur Neck / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / drug effects
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / physiopathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / complications
  • Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / diagnosis
  • Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / drug therapy*
  • Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / physiopathology
  • Osteoporotic Fractures / diagnosis
  • Osteoporotic Fractures / epidemiology
  • Osteoporotic Fractures / etiology
  • Osteoporotic Fractures / prevention & control*
  • Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein / administration & dosage*
  • Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein / adverse effects
  • Placebos / administration & dosage
  • Placebos / adverse effects
  • Radiography
  • Risk Factors
  • Spinal Fractures / diagnosis
  • Spinal Fractures / epidemiology
  • Spinal Fractures / etiology
  • Spinal Fractures / prevention & control*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein
  • Placebos
  • abaloparatide
  • Alendronate

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01343004
  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01657162