Discussion
The discovery of prognostic biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets linked to bone metastasis initiation and development are a promising perspective for preventive treatments and metastasis management in advanced breast cancer patients.
Results
We show an increase in osteoclasts precursors with a concomitant imbalance towards spontaneous osteoclastogenesis which can be evidenced at bone marrow and peripheral levels. Pro-osteoclastogenic factors RANKL and CCL-2 may contribute to bone resorption signature observed in bone marrow. Meanwhile, expression levels of specific microRNAs in primary breast tumors may already indicate a pro-osteoclastogenic scenario prior to bone metastasis.