Homing of cancer cells to the bone

Anjali Mishra, Yusuke Shiozawa, Kenneth J. Pienta, Russell S. Taichman

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

48 Scopus citations

Abstract

A variety of tumor cells preferentially home to the bone. The homing of cancer cells to the bone represents a multi-step process that involves malignant progression of the tumor, invasion of the tumor through the extracellular matrix and the blood vessels and settling of the tumor cells in the bone. Gaining a greater understanding as to the mechanisms used by cancer cells in these processes will facilitate the design of drugs which could specifically target the homing process In this review we will discuss the properties of tumor cells and the bone microenvironment which promote homing of a cancer cell to the bone. We will highlight the different steps and the molecular pathways involved when a cancer cellmetastasize to the bone. Since bone is the major home for hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), we will also highlight the similarities between the homing of cancer and HSC to the bone. Finally we will conclude with therapeutic and early detection strategies which can prevent homing of a cancer cell to the bone.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)221-235
Number of pages15
JournalCancer Microenvironment
Volume4
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Bone microenvironment
  • Chemotaxis
  • Cytokines
  • HSC niche
  • Homing
  • Matrix degradation
  • Skeletal metastasis
  • Tumor bone cross-talk

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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