Title:Osteoporosis in Patients with Breast and Prostate Cancer: Effect of Disease and Treatment Modalities
Volume: 13
Issue: 2
Author(s): Ioannis Legakis and Konstantinos Syrigos
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Aromatase inhibitors, alendronate, bisphosphonate, breast cancer, denosumab, mevalonate pathway, osteoporosis,
prostate cancer, RANK, zoledronic acid.
Abstract: The skeleton is constantly being remodelled through the simultaneous resorption of bone and formation of new
bone. Significant effects on bone metabolism are produced due to cancer treatment especially of breast and prostate
origin, even in the absence of bone metastases. These pathological changes are known as cancer treatment-induced bone
loss. Bone mass loss and osteoporosis may cause an increased risk of fractures due to a reduction in bone volume and
microarchitectural deterioration. On the other hand, the skeleton is both the most common organ affected by metastatic
cancer and the site that produces the greatest morbidity for patients.
Recent advances in our understanding of bone biology and the pathways by which cancer metastasizes and spreads to
bone have contributed to the development of several important new drugs targeting these processes. This article
summarizes our current knowledge and recommendations to advanced biology of metastasis, focusing on breast and
prostate cancer.
