We have recently demonstrated that metastatic cancer cells stimulate osteoclast differentiation, resorption activity, and survival. Using both metastatic tumors and an animal model for in vivo metastasis, we are currently identifying the paracrine factors being secreted by metastatic cancer lesions and determining which of these factors are responsible for metastatic cancer-induced osteolysis. Further in vitro studies have focused on defining the signaling pathways by which these identified factors influence osteolysis by examining the pathways regulating osteoclast differentiation, programmed cell death, and activity. Estrogen regulation of gene expression in osteoclast and osteoblast. Critical Reviews in Eukaryotic Gene Expression .
Androgens regulate bone resorption activity of isolated osteoclasts in vitro .
Sciences, USA . Identification of breast cancer cell line-derived paracrine factors that stimulate osteoclast activity. The Src signaling pathway is regulates osteoclast lysosomal enzyme secretion and is rapidly modulated by estrogen. J. Bone and Mineral Research .