Two studies have been carried out so far. If enzyme replacement therapy does work on bones, then the response is very slow. 10 Type 1 patients and one Type 3 were studied over a period of 18-83 months. Bone is not static. It is continuously being remade.
Bones grow and strengthen due to exercise and stress.
Bisphosphonate drugs slow down the action of osteoclasts preventing more bone being destroyed than being made. Osteoporosis causes brittle bones and demineralisation of bones. We propose to start a trial of Fosamax at two centres, one at my hospital in Cincinnati and one in Jerusalem. We obtained funding for this in October this year. The two year trial at Cincinnati will be double blind with half the patients receiving a 40mg pill of Fosamax each day and half receiving a placebo.