Yachen Yang1 · Wei Yang1 · Ruofan Zhang1 · Yanqing Wang1,2,31 Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Institute of Acupuncture Research, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
2 Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
3 Zhongshan-Fudan Joint Innovation Center, Zhongshan 528437, China
Abstract
Cancer-induced bone pain (CIBP) is a type of ongoing or breakthrough pain caused by a primary bone tumor or bone metastasis. CIBP constitutes a specific pain state with distinct characteristics; however, it shares similarities with inflammatory and neuropathic pain. At present, although various therapies have been developed for this condition, complete relief from CIBP in patients with cancer is yet to be achieved. Hence, it is urgent to study the mechanism underlying CIBP to develop efficient analgesic drugs. Herein, we focused on the peripheral mechanism associated with the initiation of CIBP, which involves tissue injury in the bone and changes in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and dorsal root ganglion. The nerve–cancer and cancer–immunocyte cross-talk in the TME creates circumstances that promote tumor growth and metastasis, ultimately leading to CIBP. The peripheral mechanism of CIBP and current treatments as well as potential therapeutic targets are discussed in this review.
Keywords
Cancer-induced bone pain; Peripheral mechanism; Tumor microenvironment; Sensory nerve; Immunocytes
