Mechanisms of bone metastasis in prostate cancer: clinical implications

Prostate cancer shows a strong predilection to spread to the bones. Once prostate tumour cells are engrafted in the skeleton, curative therapy is no longer possible and palliative treatment becomes the only option. Herein, we review the multifactorial mechanisms and complex cellular interactions that take place inside the bone metastatic microenvironment. Emphasis is given to the detection and treatment of the micrometastatic stage of prostate cancer, as well as our recent attempts to target the bone metastasis microenvironment-related survival factors using an anti-survival factor manipulation which can increase the efficacy of anticancer therapies such as androgen ablation therapy and chemotherapy in advanced prostate cancer.

Key words: bone metastasis, cancer therapy, micrometastasis, prostate cancer, survival factors