In spite of successful treatment of the primary tumor, breast cancer patients may die of their disease because tumors often reappear in other sites of the body. Bone is one of the sites where breast cancer often spreads. Osteoclasts are bone cells that are normally responsible for dissolving the bone substance. When the cancer cells reach the bone and start to grow in it, they exploit osteoclasts to destroy the bone, make room for cancer cells to expand and supply cancer cells with growth factors. In addition, osteoclasts play a role in the development of pain associated with bone metastases. Bisphosphonates belong to a class of drugs specifically targeting osteoclast. However, bisphosphonates are less effective in cancer patients than in other conditions. We are studying why in the presence of  breast cancer cells osteoclasts are resistant to bisphosphonates, with the goal to develop more efficient treatment against excessive osteoclasts action, which consequently will limit and/or reverse bone destruction, tumor growth and pain at the bone site.

This research project is jointly funded with the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation.