Bone Deep:

Research Spotlight: Keeping cancer out of the bone

Evan Keller, D.V.M., Ph.D., a professor of urology and co-director of the Prostate Oncology Program at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, is working with several other researchers to examine why prostate cancer spreads to the bones. The goal of their work is to develop drugs that can interfere with the biological processes that cause bone metastasis.

The team has already had some success: Keller's group conducted early laboratory studies on denosumab, a drug now known commercially as Xgeva, that prevents bone fractures and other skeletal conditions in people with breast and prostate cancer that has spread to the bone. The drug alleviates bone pain and decreases the need for pain medication.

"If we can prevent cancer cells from getting into the bone, we could enhance cancer patients' quality of life," Keller said. "If we can slow down cancer's growth and slow down bone destruction, we can increase survival."