Speaker: Dr. Janet Hock is a retired periodontist, biomedical scientist, and professor. She was the lead scientific officer for Forteo (a first in class osteoporosis drug). She has been a biotech executive and a cancer research nonprofit director. She joined Scientech in 2023.
Overview of bone biology, osteoporosis pathology and bone repair after fracture or joint replacement therapy. Overview of what patients can do to help themselves and how to think about available therapies.
Today’s Presentation
Program: Live and Zoom: Bone biology, fracture healing and treatments
Speaker: Janet Hock, PhD, retired periodontist, biomedical scientist and lead scientific officer,
biotech executive, nonprofit director in cancer research, professor, and STC member.
Introduced By: Andy Ratermann
Attendance: NESC 96, Zoom: 30
Guest(s): Jerry Mansbach, Mike Pratt, Andrew Rasley, Sharon Hoog, Mary Ellen Stroughn, Patty Matkovic, Judy Harna
Scribe: Russell Judd
Editor: Bill Elliott
View a recording of today’s Zoom presentation at: www.scientechclubvideos.org/zoom/1902.mp4
This and the next meeting will not be posted to the website until Rick Whitener returns from vacation on or around August 28.
The talk today was "Bone healing after fracture or joint replacement challenges" and was given by Janet Hock. She is a retired periodontist, biomedical scientist, and professor. She was the lead scientific officer in the investigation of Forteo, a new drug from Lily for use in patients with osteoporosis. She gave a brief overview of bone biology, bone repair after fracture or joint replacement, osteoporosis and things patients can do to help themselves after bone surgery. After education in England, she began practicing dentistry and later was a periodontist where she developed an interest in bone biology. This led her to Indiana University and later to Eli Lilly. Researchgate.net has 171 publications in her profile as author or co-author.
In the past several years there has been considerable interest in bone biology. Bones have a hard outer layer or cortex and an inner soft or spongy trabecular layer. Calcium homeostasis occurs here in the bones. Bone cells differentiate into osteoclasts, osteocytes, and signal cells, creating a matrix, maintaining growth, healing, and strength. In the 1990's IU became prominent with their work in testing and measuring of bone strength in animals.
She spoke a little about osteoporosis. This problem affects 60-70% of postmenopausal women. The cause is unknown, but Lilly has developed a drug called Forteo over the past 9 years which seems quite revolutionary in the treatment of osteoporosis. Men also can develop osteoporosis, and it can be quite debilitating with bone fractures and curvature of the spine.
She stressed the importance of exercise at any age to maintain bone health and muscle strength. This is especially important before and after joint replacement. Often a year is necessary to fully rehabilitate.
Thank you, Professor Hock, for this insightful talk. Joint surgery is increasingly frequent, and this information should be helpful in getting ready and rehabbing after surgery.
Janet Hock, PhD.
