title: [Molecular mechanism and potential targets for bone metastasis].
abstract: The incidence of bone metastasis has been increasing in all cancers in recent years. Bone metastasis is associated with substantial morbidity, including bone pain, pathological fracture, neurological deficit and/or hypercalcemia. Thus, the management of bone metastasis in patients is a clinically significant issue. In the process of bone metastasis, the primary mechanism responsible for bone destruction is cancer cell-mediated stimulation of osteoclastic bone resorption, which results in osteolysis and release of various growth factors from the bone matrix. These growth factors are prerequisites for successful colonization and subsequent invasive growth of cancer cells in bone, which is called a "vicious cycle." Thus, it is important to elucidate what molecules are involved in this step of bone destruction, and the understanding of these molecular mechanisms could lead to develop molecular-target therapies for bone metastasis. Bisphosphonates introduced in the treatment for bone metastasis have been shown to reduce skeletal morbidity. In Japan, the most potent bisphosphonate, zoledronate (ZOMETA), was introduced in this past April, and a phase III clinical trial of humanized anti-RANKL monoclonal antibody (Denosumab) against bone metastasis is under way as a global study. These new agents, which are targeted to osteoclasts, are considered to be standard management in the care of bone metastasis patients in combination with chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization, Shikoku Cancer Center.
authors.forename: Haruo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Iguchi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D001862:Bone Resorption; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating / Q000473:pathology*; D010014:Osteolysis; D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D053245:RANK Ligand / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D007093:Imidazoles; D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein; D053245:RANK Ligand; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid