A comprehensive review of interventional clinical trials in patients with bone metastases

Abstract

Bone metastasis is one of the most important factors associated with poor prognosis for patients with prostate, breast, thyroid, and lung cancer. In the past two decades, 651 clinical trials, including 554 interventional trials, were being registered in ClinicalTrials.gov and pharma.id.informa. com to combat bone metastases from different perspectives. In this review, we comprehensively analyzed, regrouped, and discussed all the interventional trials on bone metastases. Clinical trials were re-grouped into bone-targeting agents, radiotherapy, small molecule targeted therapy, combination therapy, and others, based on the different mechanisms of action including modifying the bone microenvironment and preventing the growth of cancer cells. We also discussed the potential strategies that might improve overall survival and progression-free survival of patients with bone metastases in the future.