A study reported positive results from an experimental drug Denosumab with minimal side effects. The study on more than 1400 men, found Amgen Inc’s drug Denosumab, increased bone mineral density at multiple sites in men undergoing a common hormone treatment for prostrate cancer. It also reduced the incidence of vertebral fractures by 50% when compared to those who did not receive the drug.

The drug manufactured by a Thousand Oaks, California drug manufacturer, was reported to have minimal side effects with  6 percent developing serious infections as compared to 5 percent of those receiving a placebo. Previous studies done to evaluate BMD in women with breast cancer and post menopausal women with low bone mass also showed positive results as per the company.   But Reuters reports some early trials showed greater risk of side effects.

Typically men suffering from prostrate cancer are treated with androgen-deprivation therapy, which uses several methods to reduce levels of the male hormone testosterone. These methods can be either through surgical means, castration or the most commonly used form of oral drugs. The treatment has been noted in studies done to accelerate bone loss and increase the risk of bone fractures.

A large study scheduled to be undertaken later this year has Wall Street hopeful that the drug will show a reduction in bone fractures in patients with osteoporosis.