Owing to its frequent occurrence and severe clinical picture, bone metastasis is an important problem in the clinical course of tumor diseases. Bone metastasis develops when the physiological remodeling process is disrupted by tumor cells via the same molecular mechanisms used by native bone cells. The process includes molecular crosstalk between osteocytes and osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Osteolytic bone metastasis, most often seen in breast cancer, is characterized by promoted differentiation and function of osteoclasts and reduced osteoblast function. Tumor cells take advantage of factors released by bone tissue resorption, thus establishing a vicious cycle that promotes the metastatic process. In osteoblastic metastasis, most often seen in prostate cancer, osteoblast function and differentiation are promoted, while osteoclast activity is reduced, resulting in net gain of bone tissue. Mechanisms involved in the early stages of bone metastasis and cancer cell dormancy have been understudied, and their exploration may pave the way for potential therapeutic strategies. Tumor affects the bone marrow microenvironment via exosomes, soluble factors, and membrane-bound ligands. In this way, an initial lesion is established, which after a variable duration of disseminated tumor cells dormancy progresses to an overt condition. The current review deals with basic mechanisms involved in bone metastasis formation and propagation. We illustrated a disparity between the diversity and number of factors included in the disease pathophysiology and the number of available and developing therapeutic options. We also examined new therapeutic strategies affecting molecular pathways.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.