| [ Summary ] |
Pain is one of the most common complications associated with bone metastases, causing increased morbidity and undermining quality of life for cancer patients. It has been thought that nociceptive stimuli including algesic factors, nerve injury, and bone destruction are involved in pain progression. However, the molecular mechanisms of bone pain are still complex and not fully understood. Recent studies indicate that the acidic microenvironments associated with bone metastasis are relevant to pain signals through the activation of acid-sensing nociceptors in sensory neurons. Acidic conditions are created by bone-resorbing osteoclasts, cancer cells, and infiltrating inflammatory cells. In addition, many clinical studies have demonstrated that inhibitors of osteoclasts significantly reduce bone pain. These elucidations may lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches and improvements in prognoses for patients suffering from bone cancer pain. |