NCIt definition : A second generation bisphosphonate and synthetic analog of pyrophosphate with anti-bone-resorption
activity. Alendronic acid binds to and inhibits the activity of farnesyl pyrophosphate
synthetase, an enzyme involved in terpenoid biosynthesis. Inhibition of this enzyme
prevents the biosynthesis of isoprenoid lipids, donor substrates of farnesylation
and geranylgeranylation during the post-translational modification of small GTPase
signalling proteins, which are important in the process of osteoclast turnover. As
a result, bone resorption and turnover are reduced.;