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Updated: Mar 13, 2026

Development of a Human Preclinical Model of Osteoclastogenesis from Peripheral Blood Monocytes Co-cultured with Breast Cancer Cell Lines
Published on: September 13, 2017
The role of osteoclasts in breast cancer bone metastasis
François Le Pape1, Geoffrey Vargas1, Philippe Clézardin1
1INSERM, UMR 1033, Lyon F-69372, France; Université Lyon-1, Villeurbanne F-69622, France.
Abstract:
Breast cancer frequently metastasises to the skeleton, interfering with the normal bone remodelling process and inducing bone degradation. Bone degradation is caused by osteoclasts, the normal bone-resorbing cells. Osteoclast-mediated bone degradation subsequently leads to the release of bone-derived factors that promote skeletal tumour growth. Osteoclasts themselves stimulate tumour growth. This Review describes the molecular mechanisms through which osteoclasts and breast cancer cells collaborate with each other, triggering the formation of osteolytic bone metastasis.
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