Bone Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Bone Cancer, including details on symptoms, types, treatment.

RANKL inhibition is an effective adjuvant for docetaxel in a prostate cancer bone metastases model.

Ignatoski KM, Escara-Wilke JF, Dai JL, Lui A, Dougall W, Daignault S, Yao Z, Zhang J, Day ML, Sargent EE, Keller ET

Department of Urology, University of Michigan Health Systems, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0940, USA.

BACKGROUND: Docetaxel induces an anti-tumor response in men with advanced prostate cancer (PCa); however, the side effects associated with docetaxel treatment can be severe, resulting in discontinuation of therapy. Thus, identification of an effective adjuvant therapy to allow lower doses of docetaxel is needed. Advanced PCa is typically accompanied by skeletal metastasis. Receptor activator of NFkB ligand (RANKL) is a key pro-osteoclastic factor. Targeting RANKL decreases establishment and progression of PCa growth in bone in murine models. METHODS: The efficacy of inhibiting RANKL, using a recombinant soluble RANK extracellular domain fused with the immunoglobulin Fc domain (RANK-Fc), was tested as an adjuvant therapy with docetaxel for PCa bone metastasis in a murine intra-tibial model. RESULT: The combination of RANK-Fc and docetaxel reduced tumor burden in bone greater than either treatment alone. CONCLUSION: The combination of docetaxel with a RANKL-inhibiting agent merits further investigation for treatment of advance PCa.

Published 28 April 2008 in Prostate, 68(8): 820-9.
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