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Sclerostin: a possible target for the management of cancer-induced bone disease

Maria Gkotzamanidou1, Meletios A Dimopoulos, Efstathios Kastritis

  • 1University of Athens School of Medicine, Alexandra General Hospital, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, 80 Vas. Sofias Avenue, 11528, Athens, Greece.

Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets
|July 6, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Sclerostin, a protein inhibiting bone formation, plays a role in bone metastases from breast cancer and multiple myeloma. Targeting sclerostin may offer new treatments for cancer-induced bone disease.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Orthopedics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Sclerostin is a protein produced by osteocytes that inhibits osteoblast function.
  • This review focuses on sclerostin's role in cancer-induced bone disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the literature on sclerostin's involvement in cancer-induced bone disease.
  • To explore sclerostin's role in multiple myeloma, prostate cancer, and breast cancer bone metastases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature search of PubMed using keywords: sclerostin, cancer, multiple myeloma.
  • Review of abstracts from ASH and ASCO annual meetings (2005-2011).

Main Results:

  • In multiple myeloma, sclerostin is produced by myeloma cells, elevated in patients, and correlates with bone disease severity.
  • Prostate cancer shows reduced sclerostin expression, potentially predicting metastatic progression with BMP-6 and noggin.
  • Breast cancer in vitro studies indicate malignant cells induce sclerostin to inhibit osteoblasts in bone metastases.

Conclusions:

  • Sclerostin may inhibit bone formation in breast cancer bone metastases and myeloma-related bone disease.
  • Anti-sclerostin drugs, studied for low bone mass, show potential for treating cancer-induced bone disease.

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