Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2026 Jan 14. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00845.2025. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Prostate cancer progression and metastasis is a complex step that is controlled by various molecular and cellular mechanisms. Here, the process of osteomimicry has a vital role in the context of bone metastasis. Osteomimicry phenomenon refers to the ability of cancer cells to acquire bone-like properties, thus enabling them to adapt to and survive in their bone microenvironment. This phenomenon promotes cancer cell and bone microenvironment interactions and contributes directly to tumor survival, growth, and the development of bone metastatic lesions. In this review we discuss the role of different osteomimicry factors in prostate cancer progression and metastasis, highlighting their involvement in each stage of the metastatic cascade. Key factors involved in osteomimicry – such as bone matrix proteins, signaling pathways, and transcriptional regulators – play important roles throughout the various stages of cancer progression. These include the initial development of the tumor, its local invasion into surrounding tissues, entry into the bloodstream (intravasation), spread to other more distant areas (extravasation), and ultimately, colonization and growth in the bone. Gaining a better understanding of how these factors are regulated, interact, and function can shed light on new treatment strategies aimed at targeting osteomimicry to slow down or prevent the progression of prostate cancer and its spread to the bones.
PMID:41533336 | DOI:10.1152/ajpcell.00845.2025
