Characteristics of osteoclasts at different developmental stages and therapeutic strategies

Osteoclasts are defined by their unique capacity to regulate bone resorption, serving as the primary effector cells in skeletal degradation and remodeling cascades. However, multiple studies show that osteoclasts are involved not only in bone resorption but also in repair, tumor spread, and neurogenesis. Understanding the physiological functions of osteoclasts is crucial for developing more effective treatments and harnessing their properties for novel therapies. Research on osteoclast diversity reveals that their multifunctionality varies with developmental stage: precursor cells primarily promote angiogenesis, while mature osteoclasts participate in osteoclastogenesis, bone formation, neurogenesis, and metastasis. Based on these features, various treatments have been designed, either by inhibiting osteoclast activity at different stages or by utilizing their repair functions to improve bone therapy. Targeting osteoclast roles in tumor metastasis and neurogenesis also offers strategies to limit cancer spread and support neural regeneration. This review covers the lifecycle and differences between preosteoclasts and mature osteoclasts, their roles in bone homeostasis, and summarizes therapeutic approaches based on their characteristics.