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Molecular mechanisms and treatment of bone metastasis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 March 2008

Gregory A. Clines  and
Theresa A. Guise
Gregory A. Clines
Affiliation:
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908-1420, USA.
Theresa A. Guise*
Affiliation:
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908-1420, USA.
*
*Corresponding author: Theresa A. Guise, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The University of Virginia, PO Box 801419, Charlottesville, VA 22908-1419, USA. Tel: +1 434 243 0305; Fax: +1 434 982 3314; E-mail: tag4n@virginia.edu
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Abstract

The metastasis of cancer cells to bone alters bone architecture and mineral homeostasis. As described by the ‘seed and soil’ hypothesis, bone represents a fertile ground for cancer cells to flourish. A ‘vicious cycle’ of reciprocal bone–cancer cellular signals occurs with osteolytic (bone-resorbing) metastases, and a similar mechanism likely modulates osteoblastic (bone-forming) metastatic lesions as well. The development of targeted therapies either to block initial cancer cell chemotaxis, invasion and adhesion or to break the ‘vicious cycle’ is dependent on a more complete understanding of bone metastases. Although bisphosphonates delay progression of skeletal metastases, it is clear that more-effective therapies are needed. Cancer-associated bone morbidity remains a major public health problem, and to improve therapy and prevention it is important to understand the pathophysiology of the effects of cancer on bone. This review details scientific advances in this area.

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Type
Review Article
Information
Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine , Volume 10 , October 2008 , e7
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

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References

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Further reading, resources and contacts

The Paget Foundation website is a resource for patients, physicians and researchers that provides information on bone metastasis:

http://www.paget.orgGoogle Scholar
http://www.cancerandbonesociety.orgGoogle Scholar
Layfield, R. (2007) The molecular pathogenesis of Paget disease of bone. Expert Rev Mol Med 9, 1-13, doi:10.1017/S1462399407000464CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed