Editorial: Potential effects and mechanisms of bone homeostasis on tumor bone metastasis

Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2023 · DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1256406 · Published: July 26, 2023

Simple Explanation

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.

Study Duration
Not specified
Participants
Not specified
Evidence Level
Editorial

Key Findings

  • 1
    Dysregulation of bone remodeling impairs immune cell function, leading to immune evasion and promoting tumor cell survival and growth in the bone.
  • 2
    Bone-derived factors influence tumor cell behavior by promoting their survival and proliferation within the bone microenvironment due to imbalances in bone homeostasis.
  • 3
    Targeting the bone microenvironment may disrupt the cycle between tumor cells and the bone, limiting cancer spread; treatments like bisphosphonates and immune therapies are being explored.

Research Summary

The editorial discusses how bone homeostasis affects tumor bone metastasis, highlighting that bone metastasis is a common complication of malignant tumors, influenced by interactions in the bone microenvironment. Altered bone homeostasis creates a premetastatic niche and affects immune responses, impacting tumor cell colonization and growth. Bone-derived factors also contribute to tumor progression. Therapeutic interventions targeting the bone microenvironment are being explored, with strategies like bisphosphonates and immune-based therapies showing promise in preclinical and clinical studies.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Development

Targeting bone microenvironment and associated signaling pathways may disrupt the vicious cycle between tumor cells and bone, potentially preventing or limiting cancer spread.

Personalized Risk Assessment

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Biomarker Identification

Bone-derived factors can serve as prognostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets in bone metastasis, providing a foundation for understanding tumor-specific pathways.

Study Limitations

  • 1
    Further studies are needed to determine how OA regulates bone metabolism.
  • 2
    The research topic includes a limited number of articles.
  • 3
    The findings are based on preclinical and clinical studies, requiring validation in broader patient populations.

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