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Updated: May 7, 2026

Models of Bone Metastasis
08:49

Models of Bone Metastasis

Published on: September 4, 2012

Bone sialoprotein and osteopontin in bone metastasis of osteotropic cancers

Thomas E Kruger1, Andrew H Miller1, Andrew K Godwin2

  • 1Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.

Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology
|September 28, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Bone sialoprotein (BSP) and osteopontin (OPN) promote cancer metastasis to bone. Understanding these small integrin-binding ligand N-linked glycoproteins (SIBLINGs) aids in developing new cancer diagnostics and therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Malignant cell metastasis to bone is a complex process.
  • Small integrin-binding ligand N-linked glycoproteins (SIBLINGs), including bone sialoprotein (BSP) and osteopontin (OPN), are implicated in cancer progression.
  • Elevated BSP and OPN expression is observed in cancers that preferentially metastasize to the skeleton.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the role of BSP and OPN in tumor progression and metastasis to bone.
  • To understand how malignant cells mimic skeletal cells ('osteomimicry').
  • To explore the contribution of BSP and OPN to the bone microenvironment's altered pathophysiology.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of gene expression profiles in osteotropic cancers.
  • Investigation of BSP and OPN interactions with transmembrane receptors.
  • Studies on the 'osteomimicry' phenomenon in malignant cells.

Main Results:

  • BSP and OPN exhibit pro-metastatic activities, including promoting proliferation, detachment, and invasion.
  • Increased expression of BSP and OPN correlates with skeletal metastasis in various human cancers.
  • Malignant cells adopt skeletal lineage gene expression patterns, facilitated by BSP and OPN.

Conclusions:

  • BSP and OPN play critical roles in promoting tumor metastasis to bone.
  • Understanding the osteomimicry mechanism driven by BSP and OPN is key to targeting skeletal metastases.
  • Further research into BSP and OPN functions can lead to improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for bone-metastatic cancers.
Keywords:
Bone metastasisBone sialoproteinMalignancyOsteopontin

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