Bone Cancer

Bone cancer is a general term for various cancers that originate in the bones. At Alfa Cytology, we are committed to helping our clients unravel the complexity of these diseases by providing integrated preclinical research solutions.

Introduction to Bone Cancer

When cancer cells grow in the bone, they damage the normal bone tissue. The type of cells and tissues where the cancer starts determines the specific type of bone cancer. Cancers that form directly in the bone are called primary bone cancers. Many cancers that start in other organs or body parts can spread to the bones, forming secondary or metastatic bone cancers. The cancers that most commonly metastasize to the bones are those originating from the breast, prostate, and lungs.

Fig.1 Anatomical distribution of common bone sarcoma. (Bădilă, A. E., et al., 2021)

The most frequent malignant primary bone tumors are, in this order, osteosarcomas (OS, 35%), chondrosarcomas (CS, 25%), and Ewing sarcomas (ES, 16%).

Frequent Somatic Mutations in Bone Cancers

Bone cancers, such as osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and Ewing sarcoma, are known to have high rates of somatic genetic alterations.

• Osteosarcomas frequently harbor mutations in tumor suppressor genes like TP53 and RB1, as well as amplifications of oncogenes like ATRX and KMT2C.
• Chondrosarcomas often exhibit mutations in the IDH1 and COL2A1 genes, which are involved in cellular metabolism, in addition to alterations in other genes regulating cartilage development.
• Ewing sarcomas are defined by the pathognomonic EWSR1-ETS fusions such as EWSR1-FLI1.

Fig.2 Frequent somatic mutations in OS, CS and ES. (Aran, V., et al., 2021)

Therapy Development for Bone Cancers

Currently, there are several standard and conventional treatments for bone cancer, including surgical removal, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. However, these treatments have limitations, such as non-specificity, cytotoxicity to normal cells, and the development of drug resistance.

In recent years, there have been advancements in the field of bone cancer therapy, leading to the emergence of new and promising approaches. Some of these emerging therapeutic approaches include:

Our Services

At Alfa Cytology, our company's team of dedicated researchers and scientists is focused on identifying and targeting specific molecules and pathways involved in bone cancer. By utilizing cutting-edge technologies and an in-depth understanding of the underlying biology, we are committed to developing diagnostics and novel therapies that are effective against different types of bone cancer.

At Alfa Cytology, we are committed to providing comprehensive and cutting-edge solutions for the management of bone cancer. For more information about our bone cancer research and development initiatives, or to inquire about our comprehensive services, please don't hesitate to contact us.

For research use only.