Crozer Health Seeks Participants for Osteoporosis Research Study

The study aims to determine the effectiveness of one medication or two in increasing bone density

The osteoporosis research team at Crozer Health, led by Barry Jacobson, M.D. and physician assistant Jacqi Kernaghan, is working with renowned osteoporosis researcher Felicia Cosman, M.D. to determine the efficacy of two osteoporosis treatment regimens in improving bone mineral density. The team is seeking 70 women with osteoporosis to enroll in a clinical trial.

Osteoporosis is a very common chronic disease; one in two women and one in four men are likely to have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. Many fractures are often a result of low-energy trauma, such as a fall from standing height, and are associated with slow healing, chronic pain, limited mobility, and a delayed return to full function and normal activity.

This study is open to all women who have been on denosumab (Prolia) therapy for at least two years and who meet certain criteria. Some women on denosumab treatment for osteoporosis remain at high risk for fracture. These include women who sustain incident fractures on denosumab and those who have declining bone mineral density (BMD) or persistently low BMD despite treatment. There are few options available for these patients. Denosumab withdrawal is associated with dramatic increased bone remodeling, rapid prominent bone loss, and multiple vertebral fractures. 

“Osteoporosis is a debilitating disease, and it is exciting to be working with Dr. Cosman to identify an alternative treatment regimen that may be efficacious for our patients,” explains Dr. Jacobson. “We welcome any women on Prolia to seek evaluation at our office to determine if they are candidates for this study.”

The study seeks to determine whether one medication (denosumab – which prevents bone loss) as compared to two medications (abaloparatide or Tymlos – which builds new bone, and denosumab or Prolia) will provide more of an increase in bone mineral density. Evaluation will be performed on state-of-the-art technology at the Osteoporosis Center of Delaware County in Broomall, Pa., and all study-related tests and laboratory studies will be covered by the research funding.        

For additional information or to find out if you are a candidate for the study, please contact Jacqi Kernaghan at 610-938-6701.