Targeted therapy for bone metastases of malignant tumors&nbsp;

doi:10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2025.05.015

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Acta Anatomica Sinica ›› 2025, Vol. 56 ›› Issue (5) : 619-624. DOI: 10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2025.05.015

Review

Targeted therapy for bone metastases of malignant tumors

ZHOU Kun-hao ZHANG Hong-quan YU Yu*

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Abstract

Bone metastasis is a pathological condition in which malignant tumors originating from non-osseous tissues disseminate to bone tissue via the bloodstream, lymphatic system, or direct infiltration, inducing bone destruction and severe pain. This condition disrupts normal bone metabolism and triggers various skeletal-related events (SREs), thereby significantly impairing patients’ quality of life. Current therapeutic strategies for bone metastasis include surgical intervention, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Among these, bone-targeted therapy has shown promising potential in managing bone metastasis. Recent advancements have highlighted osteoblasts and osteoclasts, the primary regulators of bone remodeling, as critical therapeutic targets. Consequently, several bone-targeted drugs have been developed. These agents not only substantially reduce the incidence of SREs but also markedly enhance patients’quality of life and clinical outcomes. In this review, we elucidate the mechanisms of drug action targeting osteoclasts and osteoblasts, and propose potential directions for future research in bone-targeted therapy.

Key words

Cancer / Bone metastasis / Targeted therapy / Osteoblast / Osteoclast

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ZHOU Kun-hao ZHANG Hong-quan YU Yu. Targeted therapy for bone metastases of malignant tumors [J]. Acta Anatomica Sinica. 2025, 56(5): 619-624 https://doi.org/10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2025.05.015

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