Osteolytic metastasis in breast cancer: effective prevention strategies.

Targeting TGFβ and BMP signaling pathways, along with osteoclast activity, appears to be a promising therapeutic strategy in the prevention of breast cancer-induced osteolytic bone destruction and metastatic growth at bone metastatic niches. Pilot studies in animal models suggest various natural and synthetic compounds and monoclonal antibodies as putative therapeutics in the prevention of breast cancer stimulated osteolytic activity. However, comprehensive pre-clinical studies demonstrating the PK/PD and in-depth understanding of molecular mechanism(s) by which these potential molecules exhibit anti-tumor growth and anti-osteolytic activity are still required to develop effective therapies against breast cancer-induced osteolytic bone disease.