Role of Chemokines and Cytokines in Prostate Cancer Skeletal Metastasis

Once prostate cancer (PCa) bone metastases develop, the prognosis dramatically declines. The precise mechanisms regulating bone metastasis remain elusive. This review will explore recent findings related to cytokines and chemokines in the process of bone metastases.

We discuss the role of cytokines in tumor growth, invasion, bone remodelling and angiogenesis and immune regulation in PCa skeletal metastases. Major advances in our understanding focus on immune evasion, immune checkpoint blockade, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), CAR-T cells, cytokine regulation of matrix metalloproteinases, cytokines including IL-10, IL-27, Interferon-γ, prostate transmembrane protein androgen induced 1 (Pmepa1), and regulation of RUNX2 transcription in supporting survival and growth of disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) and metastases development.

The review highlights the complexity of cytokine actions in PCa bone metastases, suggesting potential therapeutic targets to disrupt interactions between cancer cells and their microenvironment.