The diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis: future prospects

Osteoporosis is a common disease that affects millions of patients througho ut the world. We anticipate that both the diagnosis and the treatment of th is disease will be revolutionized by the integration of genomics and inform atics. It is predicted that a genetic algorithm will be developed to identi fy at-risk patients before they develop osteoporosis, so that preventive me asures can be instituted. The sequencing of the human genome will lead to r evolutionary advances in at least three areas of osteoporosis therapy: smal l molecule therapy, protein therapy and gene therapy. One area of focus for future therapeutics in osteoporosis will be on osteogenic agents, which sh ould have a high likelihood of success because the skeleton has the innate capacity to regenerate itself.