Ibandronate

Ibandronate is a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate derivative. Ibandronate selectively binds to hydroxyapatite on the bone surface, particularly in areas with active bone resorption. When osteoclasts carry out bone resorption, ibandronate is taken up into the cells together with the bone matrix. Within osteoclasts, ibandronate inhibits farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, blocking the production of intermediate compounds required for prenylation. When small GTP-binding proteins such as Ras, Rho, and Rab cannot undergo prenylation, multiple osteoclast metabolic processes are suppressed, ultimately leading to osteoclast apoptosis.