Breaking down bone: new insight into site-specific mechanisms of breast cancer osteolysis mediated by metalloproteinases

Bone metastases are the most common skeletal complication of malignancy. Tumor cells disrupt normal bone remodeling to promote bone destruction and its associated morbidity. In the August 15, 2009, issue of Genes & Development, Lu and colleagues (pp. 1882-1894) propose a novel molecular mechanism by which tumor-produced metalloproteinases release epidermal growth factor (EGF) ligands to activate the central osteoclastogenic pathway receptor activator of NF-kappa B ligand (RANKL) to promote breast cancer osteolysis. This work has important therapeutic applications that may quickly translate to more effective treatment for bone metastases.