Role of the Bone Microenvironment in the Development of Painful Complications of Skeletal Metastases

• Main Authors: Sun H. Park, Matthew R. Eber, D. Brooke Widner, Yusuke Shiozawa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-05-01
• Series: Cancers
• Subjects: cancer-induced bone pain; bone marrow microenvironment; osteoclasts; osteoblasts; macrophages; mast cells; stromal cells
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/10/5/141

Cancer-induced bone pain (CIBP) is the most common and painful complication in patients with bone metastases. It causes a significant reduction in patient quality of life. Available analgesic treatments for CIBP, such as opioids that target the central nervous system, come with severe side effects as well as the risk of abuse and addiction. Therefore, alternative treatments for CIBP are desperately needed. Although the exact mechanisms of CIBP have not been fully elucidated, recent studies using preclinical models have demonstrated the role of the bone marrow microenvironment (e.g., osteoclasts, osteoblasts, macrophages, mast cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and fibroblasts) in CIBP development. Several clinical trials have been performed based on these findings. CIBP is a complex and challenging condition that currently has no standard effective treatments other than opioids. Further studies are clearly warranted to better understand this painful condition and develop more effective and safer targeted therapies.