Summary:
Bone is a common site for metastasis of malignant tumours
occurring elsewhere in the body. High blood flow in the red
marrow and favorable bone-marrow microenvironment
help metastatic tumour cells survive, proliferate and
infiltrate the bone matrix. The cancer cells produce and
secrete a number of osteoclastogenic and osteoblast
stimulating factors which recruit and activate osteoclasts
and osteoblasts respectively at the metastatic foci. Osteoclasts
together with proteolytic enzymes released by tumour cells
cause resorption and destruction of bone. On the other hand,
stimulated osteoblasts lay down new bone in response to