Markers of Risk for Bone Metastases in Breast Cancer

Bone is among the most common sites for metastasis in patients with advanced breast cancer. Factors that predict bone-specific distant recurrence in breast cancer patients include large primary tumor size, high number of involved axillary lymph nodes, and estrogen receptor expression by tumor cells. The expression of genes relevant to bone metabolism have been evaluated in an effort to define a specific risk “signature” for developing bone metastases. Preclinical findings suggest that an environment dominated by bone resorption is particularly receptive to the development of bone metastases; thus, markers of bone resorption could be used to identify patients at excess risk for developing such metastases.

Now, investigators have examined the …