Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2023 · DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1256406 · Published: July 26, 2023
Bone metastasis, a complication of malignant tumors, is significantly impacted by alterations in bone homeostasis, which can lead to increased bone destruction or formation. Tumor cells disrupt bone homeostasis by interacting with bone and bone marrow cells. This disruption leads to tumor growth, increasing the risk of fractures and severe bone pain. Tumors release factors to prepare the bone microenvironment for circulating tumor cells, involving remodeling and growth factors. Disturbances in bone remodeling enhance these changes.
Targeting bone microenvironment and associated signaling pathways may disrupt the vicious cycle between tumor cells and bone, potentially preventing or limiting cancer spread.
Novel nomograms can assist doctors and patients in conducting rapid personalized risk assessments, making informed clinical decisions, and designing optimal treatment plans.
Bone-derived factors can serve as prognostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets in bone metastasis, providing a foundation for understanding tumor-specific pathways.