
Cancer cells can alter physiological mechanisms within bone resulting in high bone turnover, and consequently in skeletal-related events (SREs), causing severe morbidity in affected patients. The goals of bone targeted therapy, as bisphosphonates and denosumab, are the reduction of incidence and the delay in occurrence of the SREs, to improve quality of life and pain control. The toxicity profile is similar between bisphosphonates and denosumab, even if pyrexia, bone pain, arthralgia, renal failure and hypercalcemia are more common with bisphosphonates, while hypocalcemia and toothache are more frequently reported with denosumab. Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) occurred infrequently without statistically significant difference. The present review aims to provide an assessment on bone targeted therapies for preventing the occurrence of SREs in bone metastatic breast cancer patients, critically analyzing the evidence available so far on their effectiveness, in light of the different mechanisms of action. Thus, we try to provide tools for the most fitting treatment of bone metastatic breast cancer patients. We also provide an overview on the usefulness of bone turnover markers in clinical practice and new molecules currently under study for the treatment of bone metastatic disease.
Bone Density Conservation Agents, Humans, Bone Neoplasms, Breast Neoplasms, Female, Bone Remodeling, Molecular Targeted Therapy, Bisphosphonates; Denosumab; Metastatic breast cancer; Skeletal-related events; Bone Density Conservation Agents; Bone Neoplasms; Bone Remodeling; Bone and Bones; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Molecular Targeted Therapy, Bone and Bones
Bone Density Conservation Agents, Humans, Bone Neoplasms, Breast Neoplasms, Female, Bone Remodeling, Molecular Targeted Therapy, Bisphosphonates; Denosumab; Metastatic breast cancer; Skeletal-related events; Bone Density Conservation Agents; Bone Neoplasms; Bone Remodeling; Bone and Bones; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Molecular Targeted Therapy, Bone and Bones
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 16 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
