The cysteine protease cathepsin K has an important role in initiating the process of bone resorption by osteoclasts, and its potential as a therapeutic target in patients with bone resorption disorders, such as osteoporosis, has become a major focus of research in recent years. In this Review, the authors describe the development of cathepsin K inhibitors and the promising data that have emerged from clinical studies of these agents.
- Aline G. Costa
- Natalie E. Cusano
- John P. Bilezikian
