Metabolism in Tumour-Induced Bone Disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review highlights recent studies that investigate the metabolic reprogramming that occurs in specific types of bone metastatic cancers, including different types of breast cancer, prostate cancer and multiple myeloma. RECENT FINDINGS: Metastatic cancer cells use altered metabolic pathways to adapt in alternate environments. Cancer cells that home towards the bone are able to manipulate their metabolism to survive in the hypoxic microenvironment, shifting between oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis, whilst also exploiting neighbouring cells within the bone to provide energy and protect against chemotherapies. Targeting the altered metabolic pathways in cancer cells could be used to improve treatments, reduce tumour burden and prevent the destruction of the bone that occurs in tumour-induced bone disease.