Breast cancer bone metastasis (BCBM) is a common complication of breast cancer, which often induces bone pain, pathologic fractures, hypercalcemia, etc. The osteoprotegerin (OPG)/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK)/RANK ligand (RANKL) signaling pathway plays a crucial role in development and progression of BCBM. Results has shown that this signaling pathway is closely related to osteoclast activation. The clinical treatment strategies for BCBM include bone-modifying drugs, molecularly targeted therapies, and immunotherapies. Both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) monomers and compound preparations are able to upregulate OPG expression to inhibit osteoclast activation and block the RANKL-mediated nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway activation, thereby suppressing the pathological progression of BCBM. However, the clinical application of TCM is still limited by factors such as uncertain pharmacokinetic characteristics, incomplete quality standards, and variations in therapeutic efficacy. Elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of the OPG/RANK/RANKL signaling pathway in BCBM may therefore provide a theoretical foundation for developing TCM-based treatment strategies.

breast cancer bone metastasis  /  OPG/RANK/RANKL  /  bone destruction  /  treatment strategies  /  traditional Chinese medicine