Development of skeletal metastases.
Skeletal metastases result from a series of complex steps including activation of osteoclasts and interaction between adhesion molecules on cancer cells and bone matrices. Researchers of this study used pathologic specimens of breast cancer cells from primary and metastatic sites obtained at surgery or autopsy to demonstrate the expression of parathyroid hormone-related protein by immunohistochemistry and beta 3 integrin by in situ hybridization to clarify the role of tumor-derived osteoclast activating factors and adhesion molecules in the development of skeletal metastases. The results of this retrospective study showed a significant difference of parathyroid hormone-related protein and beta 3 integrin expression in cases with and without skeletal metastases. These expressions were enhanced or clonally selected or both in skeletal metastatic sites. Because activation of osteoclastic bone resorption by parathyroid hormone-related protein could facilitate tumor cells to attach to the eroded bone surface through cell adhesion molecules, these 2 factors could make it easier for tumor cells to grow in bone.
Kitazawa
S
S
Second Department of Pathology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Japan.
Maeda
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D039661:Integrin beta3; D016023:Integrins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010014:Osteolysis / Q000503:physiopathology; D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D015703:Antigens, CD; D039661:Integrin beta3; D016023:Integrins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; C470121:PTHLH protein, human; D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein