New hope for fragile bones: monthly shots may strengthen skeleton in paralyzed women
NCT ID NCT04708886
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This pilot study tested whether a year of monthly romosozumab injections, followed by a year of weekly alendronate pills, can improve bone health in women with chronic spinal cord injury and osteoporosis. Twelve non-ambulatory women participated. The goal was to see if this two-step approach increases bone density and reduces fracture risk.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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12 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Mar 2021
- Finished
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Jun 2024
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥18 years * Female sex * SCI 6 or more months prior to enrollment * Non-ambulatory status (Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury II score of 3 or less) * Osteoporosis by DXA defined as a t-score of -2.5 at any skeletal site (lumbar spine, total hip, or femoral neck) or a t-score of -2.0 plus a history of a fragility fracture * Good general health, as determined by the study investigator * Able to understand and agree to informed consent in English * Able and willing to complete all the study visits * Females of childbearing potential must be willing and able to use an effective method of contraception or practice abstinence throughout the course of the study and up to 90 days after the last use of study drug. * Vitamin D 25-hydroxy levels ≥ 20 ng/ml (subjects may be repleted and retested prior to baseline) * Normal serum calcium levels (based on current local laboratory normal range) * No known endocrinopathies (diabetes type 1 or 2, treated thyroid conditions can be included) * Normal serum thyroid stimulating hormone and/or T4 levels (based on current local laboratory normal ranges) * Able to take oral medication sitting upright for at least 30 minutes Exclusion criteria: * Have Paget's disease of the bone * Have abnormal laboratory values that in the judgement of the investigator would put the participant at increased risk of treatment * Any active gastrointestinal condition that results in malabsorption * Abnormalities of the esophagus which delay emptying such as stricture or achalasia * Known hypersensitivity to romosozumab or alendronate * Increased risk of aspiration * Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) or risk factor for ONJ, such as invasive dental procedures (e.g., tooth extraction, dental implants, oral surgery in the past 6 months), poor oral hygiene, periodontal and/or pre-existing dental disease, or planned invasive dental procedure over the next two years * Heterotopic ossification of the knee region that interferes with CT analysis * History of bone metastasis and skeletal malignancies * History of alcoholism or drug abuse within the 2 years prior to study screening, which in the opinion of the investigator may affect subject's health and/or study commitment * Other medical conditions that in the opinion of the investigator would preclude the subject from completing the study * Currently being prescribed anticonvulsants at a dose or frequency that is determined to interfere with bone metabolism as determined by the investigator * Currently being prescribed glucocorticoids, other than inhaled glucocorticoids * Current or use during past 5 years of any bone-active agents, including any FDA approved treatment (e.g., teriparatide, abaloparatide, denosumab, any bisphosphonate (oral or IV), raloxifene, bazedoxifene, hormone therapy (estrogen and estrogen/progestin) and calcitonin) as well as any strontium-containing compounds. * Pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or lactating * Any history of stroke or cardiovascular disease other than controlled hypertension * Renal insufficiency (calculated creatinine clearance less than 35 ml/min) * Any other neurological impairment that may impair ambulation or muscle function
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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