Authors: Ando, Kosei; Mori, Kanji; Redini, Francoise; Heymann, Dominique

Source: Current Drug Discovery Technologies, Volume 5, Number 3, September 2008 , pp. 263-268(6)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

Cancer is one of the major leading causes of death all over the world. Primary and secondary bone tumors can significantly deteriorate the quality of life (QOL) and the activity of daily living (ADL) of the patients. These unwelcome diseases become a social and economic burden seriously. Thus, more effective therapies for both primary and secondary bone tumors are actually required. Bone homeostasis depends on the strictly balanced activities between bone formation by osteoblasts and bone resorption by osteoclasts. Imbalance of bone formation and resorption results in various bone diseases. Both primary and secondary bone tumors develop in the unique environment bone, it is therefore necessary to understand bone cell biology in tumoral bone environment. Recent findings strongly revealed the significant involvement of the receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)/RANK/osteoprotegerin (OPG) triad, the key regulators of bone remodeling in bone oncology. Indeed, RANKL/RANK blocking successfully prevented the development of bone metastases. Furthermore, some cancer cells express RANK which is involved in tumor cell migration. Thus, the regulation of this triad will be a rational, encouraged therapeutic hot spot in bone oncology. In this review, we summarize the accumulating knowledge of the RANKL/RANK/OPG triad and discuss about its therapeutic capability in primary and secondary bone tumors.

Keywords: RANKL; RANK; OPG; cancer; bone metastasis; osteoclast; vicious cycle; steosarcoma

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157016308785739857

Publication date: 2008-09-01

More about this publication?

• Due to the plethora of new approaches being used in modern drug discovery by the pharmaceutical industry, Current Drug Discovery Technologies has been established to provide comprehensive overviews of all the major modern techniques and technologies used in drug design and discovery. The journal is the forum for publishing both original research papers and reviews describing novel approaches and cutting edge technologies used in all stages of drug discovery. The journal addresses the multidimensional challenges of drug discovery science including integration issues of the drug discovery process.
  
  Current Drug Discovery Technologies is an essential journal for all scientists and research managers involved in drug discovery who wish to keep abreast of all the modern techniques and technologies used in drug discovery.

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