Optimal management of bone metastases in prostate cancer

The biological basis of the selective outgrowth of disseminated prostate cancer cells within the hematopoietic bone microenvironment remains a compelling biological mystery. A major proportion of the morbidity and mortality related to prostate cancer can be traced to the burden of bone metastases. The optimal management of bone health in men with prostate cancer requires control of the underlying epithelial neoplasm, attenuation of the subverted bone remodeling process that accompanies disease progression, reduction in the bone complications of disease-directed therapy, and management of co-existing comorbidities that enhance bone fragility. While bone-homing radioisotopes, bisphosphonates, and RANK ligand inhibitors have demonstrated reduction in bone pain and/or other skeletal-related events, further advances into definitive improvements in survival and/or global quality of life are required. A deeper understanding of the biology of bone metastases will likely facilitate a bone-directed therapeutic approach toward a major impact on the survival of men with this important disease.