New treatments for rare bone diseases: hypophosphatemic rickets/osteomalacia.

Phosphorus is one of the most abundant minerals in the human body; it is required to maintain bone integrity and mineralization, in addition to other biological processes. Phosphorus is regulated by parathyroid hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) in a complex set of processes that occur in the gut, skeleton, and kidneys. Different molecular mechanisms - overproduction of FGF-23 by tumors responsible for oncogenic osteomalacia, generation of an FGF-23 mutant that is resistant to cleavage by enzymes, and impaired FGF-23 degradation due to a reduction in or loss of the PHEX gene - can lead to FGF-23-stimulating activity and the consequent waste of urinary phosphate and low levels of 1,25(OH)2D3. Conventional treatment consists of multiple daily doses of oral phosphate salts and vitamin D analogs, which may improve radiographic rickets but do not normalize growth. Complications of the conventional long-term treatment consist of hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, nephrolithiasis, nephrocalcinosis, impaired renal function, and potentially chronic kidney disease. Recently, burosumab, an antibody against FGF-23, was approved as a novel therapy for children and adults with X-linked hypophosphatemia and patients with tumor-induced osteomalacia. Burosumab showed good performance in different trials in children and adults. It increased and sustained the serum phosphorus levels, decreased the rickets severity and pain scores, and improved mineralization. It offers a new perspective on the treatment of chronic and disabling diseases.

Osteomalacia. Diagnóstico y tratamiento / Osteomalacia. Diagnosis and treatment

Introducción: la osteomalacia se caracteriza por la falta de mineralización de la sustancia osteoide, que afecta al hueso cortical y al hueso esponjoso maduro. Es una enfermedad que se presenta en adultos y niños, aunque la causa es diferente en cada uno. Objetivo: exponer la generalidad de la osteomalacia por ser una enfermedad que produce serias afectaciones a la población que la padece, especialmente a los niños. Se enfatiza en el diagnóstico y su tratamiento. Desarrollo: a fin de resumir los elementos esenciales para establecer el diagnóstico de osteomalacia hay que plantear en primer lugar, la presencia de un trastorno de la mineralización ósea, de ahí que además de tener en cuenta las causas de la enfermedad, su curso clínico y la sintomatología. Conclusiones: una recomendación importante es no tener en cuenta la posibilidad de complicaciones en el curso de la enfermedad, como las fracturas, que, aunque sean parte del cuadro clínico, al producirse pueden ocasionar graves problemas, como el caso de las que aparecen en las costillas, que si se desplazan pueden interesar órganos vitales, de modo que en este tipo de pacientes no debe excluirse la posibilidad de emergencias o de urgencias reumatológicas tanto en los adultos como en los niños(AU)

Introduction: osteomalacia is characterized by the lack of mineralization of the osteoid substance, which affects cortical bone and mature cancellous bone. It is a disease that occurs in adults and children, although the cause is different in each. Objective: to expose the generality of osteomalacia for being a disease that causes serious affectations to the population that suffers it, especially to children. Emphasis is placed on the diagnosis and its treatment. Development: in order to summarize the essential elements to establish the diagnosis of osteomalacia, we must first consider the presence of a bone mineralization disorder, hence, in addition to taking into account the causes of the disease, its clinical course and the symptomatology. Conclusions: an important recommendation is not to take into account the possibility of complications in the course of the disease, such as fractures, which, although they are part of the clinical picture, can cause serious problems when they occur, as in the case of those that appear in the ribs, which if they move may involve vital organs, so that in this type of patients should not exclude the possibility of emergencies or rheumatological emergencies in both adults and children(AU)

[Hyperparathyroidism associated with hypophosphatemic osteomalacia: case report and review of the literature]. / Hiperparatireoidismo associado à osteomalacia hipofosfatêmica do adulto: relato de caso e revisão da literatura.

Adult-onset hypophosphatemic osteomalacia is a rare disease characterized by hypophosphatemia, increased levels of alkaline phosphatase and decreased bone mass. Oral supplementation with phosphate and vitamin D is the main treatment and, in cases of oncogenic osteomalacia, tumor resection is mandatory. We report the case of a patient with hypophosphatemic osteomalacia of an unknown cause. Despite extensive search, no tumor was found. The patient was treated with phosphate for a long period and developed tertiary hyperparathyroidism. Serum PTH levels did not return to normal after surgical excision of three parathyroids and the patient refused to continue clinical investigation and treatment. After ten years absent from the hospital, during which medications were used irregularly, she was admitted with multiple fractures and respiratory insufficiency caused by severe thoracic deformities, and died. The authors discuss the relationship between osteomalacia and hyperparathyroidism and the aggressive course of the disease.

Hiperparatireoidismo associado à osteomalacia hipofosfatêmica do adulto: relato de caso e revisão da literatura / Hyperparathyroidism associated with hypophosphatemic osteomalacia: case report and review of the literature

A osteomalacia hipofosfatêmica é uma doença rara caracterizada por hipofosfatemia, níveis elevados de fosfatase alcalina e diminuição da densidade óssea. O tratamento é realizado com suplementação oral com fosfato e vitamina D e, nos casos de osteomalacia oncogênica, com a ressecção do tumor. Relatamos o caso de uma paciente que apresentou quadro de osteomalácia hipofosfatêmica de causa indeterminada. Apesar de extensivamente procurado, nenhum tumor produtor de substância hipofosfatêmica foi localizado. A paciente foi tratada como suplementação de fosfato e vitamina D por longo período, evoluindo com quadro de hiperparatireoidismo terciário. A retirada de três paratireóides não normalizou os níveis de PTH e a paciente recusou-se a continuar a investigação e o tratamento. Após dez anos de tratamento irregular, foi internada por insuficiência respiratória causada por colabamento do arcabouço costal e múltiplas fraturas, evoluindo para o óbito. Os autores discutem a relação entre osteomalácia e hiperparatireoidismo e o curso agressivo da doença.

Bone densitometry in a patient with hypophosphatemic osteomalacia.

A 60-year-old Caucasian woman with a 1-year history of pain at the ribs, spine, and pelvis consulted at our Institute in March 1999. She brought a bone densitometry performed using a Lunar DPX densitometer that showed bone mineral density (BMD) measurements in the osteoporotic range at both the lumbar spine and the femoral neck. As a child she had had bowed legs and had been treated with ultraviolet radiation. Results of the laboratory test performed at our institute showed normal total serum calcium, repeated low serum P levels, and a low renal phosphate threshold with elevated total and bone fraction of alkaline phosphatase with normal intact parathyroid hormone (PTH). A diagnosis of hypophosphatemic osteomalacia due to renal phosphate leak was made. She began treatment with neutral sodium phosphate at 1.5 g/day and calcitriol 0.5 microg/day. Her serum P levels normalized, and there was a progressive decrease in alkaline phosphatase levels. The densitometry showed a very rapid increase in BMD values with normalization at the lumbar spine after 10 months of treatment. This case shows the importance of bone densitometry in the follow-up of patients with suspected osteomalacia.

Osteomalacia in a patient with severe anorexia nervosa.

A 27-year-old woman with anorexia nervosa since adolescence was referred to our unit for generalized bone pain most severe at the pelvis and an inability to stand. She reported a pelvic fracture diagnosed one year earlier, which had failed to heal. Laboratory tests showed low serum phosphate, normal total serum calcium corrected for serum albumin, and very low urinary calcium excretion. Serum bone alkaline phosphatase and parathyroid hormone levels were elevated, whereas 25-hydroxy-vitamin D was severely decreased. Multiple vertebral and rib fractures were seen on plain radiographs. Radiographic images consistent with osteomalacia were pseudofractures of the left inferior pubic ramus, a bilateral complete fracture of the superior pubic ramus, and a characteristic pseudofracture (Looser zone) in the lateral margin of the right scapula. Vitamin D-deficient osteomalacia with secondary hyperparathyroidism was strongly suspected at this point, but it was decided not to confirm this diagnosis by bone biopsy with histomorphometry and osteoid labeling because of the emotional instability of the patient. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry disclosed severe demineralization. After two months on calcium and vitamin D supplements, the bone pain had abated and the patient was able to stand. Serum calcium had increased; serum phosphate, 25-hydroxy-vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone had returned to normal, and the pseudofractures showed evidence of healing. Osteoporosis is a well-known complication of anorexia nervosa. This case shows that osteomalacia can also occur. Vitamin D status should be assessed in patients with long-standing severe anorexia nervosa.

Osteomalacia with hypophosphatemia and hypercalciuria: a possible new variant of osteomalacia.

A 12-year-old girl had a severe genu valgum deformity and osteomalacia with hypophosphatemia, hypercalciuria, and modestly elevated levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and intact parathyroid hormone. This patient seems to have a different type of hypophosphatemic osteomalacia from that previously described.

[Hypophosphatemic osteomalacia acquired after renal transplantation: a a cause of severe osteoporosis]. / Osteomalacia hipofosfémica adquirida post-trasplante renal: una causa de osteoporosis grave.

Renal osteodystrophy improves after renal transplantation but, after the procedure, other forms of bone disease emerge. We report a male patient that received a renal allograft four years before, who consulted for low back pain secondary to multiple vertebral compression fractures. The patient had good renal function, a parathormone independent hyperphosphaturia, normal 25-OH cholecalciferol, increased urinary hydroxyproline, decreased osteocalcin, reduced bone density and a bone biopsy revealing osteomalacia. The diagnosis of hypophosphatemic osteomalacia was reached and treatment with phosphates and ergocalciferol was started but, despite this, the patient suffered a new fracture two years later. Two mechanisms can produce hypophosphatemia after a renal transplantation: a parathormone excess due to the previous renal failure, that disappears during the first year after the transplantation or a derangement in renal phosphate transport that can be due to a generalized proximal tubule solute transport derangement (Fanconi syndrome), parathormone hypersensitivity or to an "idiopathic" hyperphosphaturia. Despite a good treatment, bone mass is not recovered and there is a high fracture risk. Mineral metabolism must be closely monitored after a renal allograft and its alterations must be quickly treated.

Hypophosphatemic rickets/osteomalacia in linear sebaceous nevus syndrome: a variant of tumor-induced osteomalacia.

A severe form of vitamin D-resistant rickets is associated with the linear sebaceous nevus syndrome. We investigated the pathophysiology underlying defective bone mineralization in two individuals and examined the effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D, calcitriol) therapy on the clinical and biochemical abnormalities. Both patients had fasting hypophosphatemia, markedly diminished TmP/GFR, and elevated alkaline phosphase activity in the presence of normocalcemia. Before treatment with calcitriol, serum 1,25(OH)2D concentrations were reduced but serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations were normal. Administration of calcitriol increased serum 1,25(OH)2D concentrations and led to an increase in TmP/GFR and serum phosphorus levels and to a decrease in alkaline phosphatase activity. However, the renal tubular maximum for reabsorption of inorganic phosphate, normalized according to glomerular filtration rate, and serum phosphorus levels remained abnormally low even in the patient who also received phosphate supplementation. Bone histomorphologic studies in the adult patient showed extreme osteomalacia, which partially improved with calcitriol. These data demonstrate that the putative skin lesion-derived factor results in both a renal tubular defect in phosphate reabsorption and in 1,25-(OH)2 D deficiency. The vitamin D-resistant rickets of linear sebaceous nevus syndrome is a variant of tumor-induced osteomalacia.