Abstract
Skeletal lesions contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer. The disease manifestation course during metastatic bone disease is driven by tumour cells in the bone marrow, which alter the functions of bone-resorbing (osteoclasts) and bone-forming (osteoblasts) cells, promoting skeletal destruction. Successful therapeutic strategies for the treatment of metastatic bone disease include bisphosphonates and denosumab that inhibit osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. Inhibitors of cathepsin K, Src and activin A are under clinical investigation as potential anti-osteolytics. In this review, we describe current knowledge and future directions of antiresorptive therapies that may reduce or prevent destructive bone lesions from solid tumours and multiple myeloma.