Tumour necrosis factor receptor associated factors (TRAFs) play a key role in signal transduction in mammalian cells. Several members of the TRAF family have been identified but only TRAF2 and TRAF6 are implicated in the regulation of both osteoclastic bone resorption and breast cancer. Here I studied the role of TRAF2 and TRAF6 in breast cancer induced osteoclastogenesis and osteolysis. I observed that TRAF2, but not TRAF6, is highly expressed in a highly metastatic bone-tropic clone of the human MDA-MB-231-BT (MDA-231-BT) breast cancer cells when compared to parental MDA-MB-231 (MDA-231) cells. Targeted knockdown of TRAF2, but not TRAF6, in both parental MDA-231 and bone-tropic MDA-231-BT breast cancer cells by siRNAs markedly reduced cell migration and significantly reduced the ability of these cells and their conditioned medium to induce osteoclast formation in RANKL stimulated bone marrow cultures. Encouraged by these data, I generated stable parental MDA-231 and bone-tropic MDA-231-BT breast cancer cell lines overexpressing TRAF2 using a retroviral approach. Then, I went on to show that overexpression of TRAF2 in parental MDA-231 cell line significantly stimulated directed cell migration and 3D invasion in vitro. Bone-tropic MDA-231-BT breast cancer cells over expressing TRAF2 or their conditioned medium were significantly effective in enhancing RANKL induced osteoclast formation in vitro. Mechanistic studies in parental MDA-231 and bone-tropic MDA-231-BT breast cancer cells revealed that over-expression of TRAF2 enhanced cell migration and osteoclastogenesis via a mechanism that involves the activation of the breast cancer oncogene IKKepsilon (IKKε) coupled with significant increase in levels of Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Ex vivo studies in human MDA-231-mouse calvaria organ co-cultures showed that conditioned medium obtained from MDA- 231 cells enhanced calvarial osteolysis. In vivo studies showed that overexpression of TRAF2 in the human breast cancer cells MDA-231 enhanced tumour incidence and tumour volume after orthotopic injection and exacerbated osteolysis after supracalvarial injection of conditioned medium from these cells. In conclusion, our studies showed that the TRAF2/IKK/VEGF axis in breast cancer cells regulates breast cancer cell motility in vitro, osteoclastogenesis in vitro and osteolysis ex vivo and in vivo. However, the role of TRAF2 in bone metastasis associated with breast cancer will require further in vivo investigation.

Bone metastases are a frequent clinical complication associated with cancer. The aim of this PhD thesis was to set up a model system for the study of tumour cell – bone cell interactions in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo and to use this system to test the efficacy of a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of osteolytic bone disease. Co-culture or conditioned medium studies using human or mouse cancer cell lines were used to develop an in vitro model system of tumour cell – bone cell interactions. This showed that osteolytic tumour cells enhance osteoclast formation, fusion and resorption through the production of various factors that act directly on osteoclasts and their precursors. And in addition, that osteolytic tumour cells also enhance osteoclastogenesis indirectly via increasing the production of RANKL in osteoblasts. Other effects on osteoblasts included reductions in differentiation, migration and adhesion. Successful ex vivo and in vivo models for the study of tumour – induced osteolysis were created using adapted organ cultures and intratibial injection techniques respectively. IGF-1 and its receptor are known to play important roles in both bone metabolism and breast cancer. Therefore a study of the effects of IGF-1 receptor inhibition on tumour cell – bone cell interactions was performed. In vitro studies showed that the novel IGF-1 receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor PQIP significantly inhibited IGF-1 and breast cancer enhanced osteoclast formation. Western blot analysis suggested this may be due to the inhibition of both IGF-1 and cancer conditioned medium induced PI3k/Akt activation. Moreover, treatment of osteoblasts with PQIP inhibited cancer cell conditioned medium induced increases in RANKL production. Ex vivo studies using human MDA-MB-231 – mouse calvarial organ co-cultures demonstrated that MDA-MB-231 cells caused osteolysis and this was completely prevented by PQIP without affecting cancer cell viability. Furthermore, once daily oral administration of PQIP significantly decreased trabecular bone loss and reduced the size of osteolytic bone lesions following mouse 4T1 breast cancer cell intratibial injection in mice. Quantitative histomorphometry showed a significant reduction in breast cancer-induced osteoclast number and activity. Consistent with the significant inhibition of osteoblast differentiation, spreading, migration and bone nodule formation observed in vitro, PQIP also inhibited osteoblast number and bone formation in vivo. No inhibition of in vivo tumour volume was observed. These findings clearly suggest that oral PQIP treatment reduced the rate of cancer associated bone turnover. In conclusion, this thesis successfully demonstrates a model system for investigating tumour cell-bone cell interactions in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo. Using this model system I showed that pharmacologic inhibition of IGF-1 receptor kinase activity using PQIP inhibits osteoclast and osteoblast changes induced by breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo and prevents osteolysis ex vivo and in vivo. This indicates that PQIP and its novel derivatives which are now in advanced clinical development may be of value in the treatment of osteolytic bone disease associated with breast cancer.

No description available.

Les métastases osseuses représentent un enjeu majeur de santé publique en raison de leur impact négatif sur la qualité de vie des patients mais également en raison de l’absence de traitements curatif. De nouvelles pistes thérapeutiques sont explorées dont l’immunothérapie anti-cancéreuse. En tant que principales responsables du recrutement leucocytaire, les chimiokines représentent des outils potentiels dans cette approche thérapeutique. La chimiokine fractalkine (CX3CL1) est impliquée dans de nombreux mécanismes physiologiques et pathologiques, dont le métabolisme osseux, la réponse immunitaire anti-tumorale mais également l’adressage et le développement tumoral, et ce de manière différentielle selon la forme considérée de cette chimiokine. En effet, CX3CL1 a la particularité d’exister sous deux formes : membranaire atypique (propriétés d’adhésion cellulaire) et soluble, typique des chimiokines (propriétés de chimioattraction). La mise en place d’un modèle syngénique murin de métastases osseuses expérimentales de carcinome pulmonaire nous a permis d’étudier l’effet de la forme soluble de CX3CL1 sur le développement métastatique en site osseux. L’expression ectopique de CX3CL1 soluble dans les cellules tumorales pulmonaires a conduit à une diminution de leur potentiel tumorigénique, une diminution de la résorption osseuse associée à une modification du ratio OPG/RANKL en faveur d’un phénotype ostéoblastique et à une modification du recrutement leucocytaire intratumoral en faveur d’une réponse immunitaire anti-tumorale. Outre l’importance de CX3CL1 dans le remodelage osseux, ce travail souligne le rôle essentiel du microenvironnement immunitaire dans la progression tumorale. Dans ce contexte, la forme soluble de CX3CL1 pourrait représenter un outil prometteur dans l’arsenal thérapeutique des métastases osseuses / Bone metastases represent a major public health issue due to their negative impact on patient’s quality of life as well as the current lack of curative treatment. New therapeutic leads are being investigated, among which is the anti-cancer immunotherapy. As the main molecules responsible for leukocyte recruitment, chemokines appear as potential tools for this therapeutic approach. The chemokine fractalkine (CX3CL1) is implicated in numerous physiological and pathological mechanisms, including bone metabolism, antitumor immune response as well as tumor homing and proliferation, in a differential manner depending on the considered form of CX3CL1. Indeed, the particularity of CX3CL1 is that it can exist under two forms: an atypical membrane-bound form (strong cellular adhesion) and a chemokine typical soluble form (chemoattraction). The development of a mouse syngeneic model of lung cancer experimental bone metastases allowed us to study the effect of the soluble CX3CL1 on metastatic development in a skeletal location. The ectopic expression of soluble CX3CL1 in the lung cancer cells led to a decrease of their tumorigenic potential, a decrease of bone resorption associated with a shift of the OPG/RANKL ratio toward an osteoblastic phenotype and a modification of leukocyte tumor infiltration in favor of an antitumor immune response. In addition to the importance of CX3CL1 in bone remodeling, this study underlines the essential role of the immune microenvironment in bone tumor progression. In this context, the soluble CX3CL1 could represent a promising tool in the therapeutic arsenal of bone metastases.

A grande aplicação dos radiofármacos está em medicina nuclear diagnóstica representando 95% dos procedimentos realizados, porém, nos últimos anos, tem crescido consideravelmente a sua aplicação em procedimentos terapêuticos. Os radionuclídeos que emitem particulas ionizantes (α, β e elétrons Auger) são indicados para tratamento de tumores. Tumores malignos são responsáveis por aproximadamente 12% dos óbitos e representam a terceira causa de mortalidade no Brasil. O 188Re é um dos mais atrativos radioisótopos para uma variedade de aplicações terapêuticas em medicina nuclear, oncologia e intervenções cardiológicas, é totalmente favorável e conveniente pelo fato de que ele é livre de carregador e pode ser obtido de forma econômica na forma de um gerador de 188W/188Re, além de possuir uma meia-vida fisica de 16,9 horas e 100% de emissão de radiação β-. A partir da década de 2000 vêm sendo realizadas diversas investigações envolvendo marcações de moléculas com 188Re. Os tumores metastáticos são a forma mais comum de malignidade esquelética. Em casos metastáticos os principais objetivos do tratamento são a prevenção de fraturas patológicas e promover a sobrevida com o máximo de preservação de função permitindo que o paciente mantenha o máximo possível de mobilidade e controle da dor. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar a comparação das marcações de diversos fosfonatos (Metileno disfofonato de Sódio MDP, Ácido Etilenodiaminotetrametilenofosfônico EDTMP, e do diclorometilenobifosfonato de sódio - Clodronato) com 188Re para terapia de metastáses ósseas. Fosfonatos são inibidores da reabsorção óssea osteoclástica e são efetivos neste tratamento. As marcações do MDP, EDTMP e Clodronato com 188Re foram otimizadas utilizando como agente redutor o cloreto estanoso (SnCl2 2H2O) e como agente estabilizante o ácido ascórbico. As variáveis estudadas foram massa do ligante, massa do SnCl2.2H2O, massa do ácido ascórbico, tempo, pH e temperatura da reação. Os resultados mostraram que se obteve um excelente rendimento de marcação de 98% para o 188Re-MDP, de 83% para o 188Re-EDTMP e 85% para o 188Re-Clodronato. / The wide application of radiopharmaceuticals in nuclear medicine, representing 95% of procedures performed is in diagnosis, but in recent years, its application in therapeutic procedures has grown considerably. The radionuclides that emit ionizing particles (α, β, and Auger electrons) are indicated for the treatment of tumors. Malignant tumors account for approximately 12% of deaths and represent the third cause of mortality in Brazil. 188Re is one of the most attractive radioisotopes for a variety of therapeutic applications in nuclear medicine, oncology and cardiology interventions, is fully favorable and convenient because it is carrier free and can be obtained inexpensively in the form of a generator of 188W/188Re, and has a physical half-life of 16.9 hours and 100% of β-radiation emission. From the 2000s several investigations have been conducted involving molecules labeled with 188Re. Metastatic tumors are the most common form of malignancy in the skeleton. In metastatic cases the main goals of treatment are the prevention of pathological fractures and the promotion of survival with maximum preservation of function allowing the patient to maintain the greatest possible mobility and pain control. The objective of this study was to compare the labeling of various phosphonates (Sodium methylene diphosphonate - MDP, Ethylenediaminetetramethylene phosphonic acid - EDTMP, and sodium dichloromethylenediphosphonate - clodronate) with 188Re for bone metastases therapy. Phosphonates are inhibitors of osteoclastic bone resorption and are effective in treatment. The labeling of MDP, EDTMP and Clodronate with 188Re was optimized using stannous chloride (SnCl2·2H2O) as reducing agent, and ascorbic acid as stabilizing agent. The variables studied were the ligand mass, SnCl2.2H2O mass, mass of ascorbic acid, time, pH and temperature of the reaction. The results showed an excellent labeling yield of 98% for 188Re-MDP, 83% for 188Re-EDTMP and 85% for 188Re-Clodronate.

A grande aplicação dos radiofármacos está em medicina nuclear diagnóstica representando 95% dos procedimentos realizados, porém, nos últimos anos, tem crescido consideravelmente a sua aplicação em procedimentos terapêuticos. Os radionuclídeos que emitem particulas ionizantes (α, β e elétrons Auger) são indicados para tratamento de tumores. Tumores malignos são responsáveis por aproximadamente 12% dos óbitos e representam a terceira causa de mortalidade no Brasil. O 188Re é um dos mais atrativos radioisótopos para uma variedade de aplicações terapêuticas em medicina nuclear, oncologia e intervenções cardiológicas, é totalmente favorável e conveniente pelo fato de que ele é livre de carregador e pode ser obtido de forma econômica na forma de um gerador de 188W/188Re, além de possuir uma meia-vida fisica de 16,9 horas e 100% de emissão de radiação β-. A partir da década de 2000 vêm sendo realizadas diversas investigações envolvendo marcações de moléculas com 188Re. Os tumores metastáticos são a forma mais comum de malignidade esquelética. Em casos metastáticos os principais objetivos do tratamento são a prevenção de fraturas patológicas e promover a sobrevida com o máximo de preservação de função permitindo que o paciente mantenha o máximo possível de mobilidade e controle da dor. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar a comparação das marcações de diversos fosfonatos (Metileno disfofonato de Sódio MDP, Ácido Etilenodiaminotetrametilenofosfônico EDTMP, e do diclorometilenobifosfonato de sódio - Clodronato) com 188Re para terapia de metastáses ósseas. Fosfonatos são inibidores da reabsorção óssea osteoclástica e são efetivos neste tratamento. As marcações do MDP, EDTMP e Clodronato com 188Re foram otimizadas utilizando como agente redutor o cloreto estanoso (SnCl2 2H2O) e como agente estabilizante o ácido ascórbico. As variáveis estudadas foram massa do ligante, massa do SnCl2.2H2O, massa do ácido ascórbico, tempo, pH e temperatura da reação. Os resultados mostraram que se obteve um excelente rendimento de marcação de 98% para o 188Re-MDP, de 83% para o 188Re-EDTMP e 85% para o 188Re-Clodronato. / The wide application of radiopharmaceuticals in nuclear medicine, representing 95% of procedures performed is in diagnosis, but in recent years, its application in therapeutic procedures has grown considerably. The radionuclides that emit ionizing particles (α, β, and Auger electrons) are indicated for the treatment of tumors. Malignant tumors account for approximately 12% of deaths and represent the third cause of mortality in Brazil. 188Re is one of the most attractive radioisotopes for a variety of therapeutic applications in nuclear medicine, oncology and cardiology interventions, is fully favorable and convenient because it is carrier free and can be obtained inexpensively in the form of a generator of 188W/188Re, and has a physical half-life of 16.9 hours and 100% of β-radiation emission. From the 2000s several investigations have been conducted involving molecules labeled with 188Re. Metastatic tumors are the most common form of malignancy in the skeleton. In metastatic cases the main goals of treatment are the prevention of pathological fractures and the promotion of survival with maximum preservation of function allowing the patient to maintain the greatest possible mobility and pain control. The objective of this study was to compare the labeling of various phosphonates (Sodium methylene diphosphonate - MDP, Ethylenediaminetetramethylene phosphonic acid - EDTMP, and sodium dichloromethylenediphosphonate - clodronate) with 188Re for bone metastases therapy. Phosphonates are inhibitors of osteoclastic bone resorption and are effective in treatment. The labeling of MDP, EDTMP and Clodronate with 188Re was optimized using stannous chloride (SnCl2·2H2O) as reducing agent, and ascorbic acid as stabilizing agent. The variables studied were the ligand mass, SnCl2.2H2O mass, mass of ascorbic acid, time, pH and temperature of the reaction. The results showed an excellent labeling yield of 98% for 188Re-MDP, 83% for 188Re-EDTMP and 85% for 188Re-Clodronate.

Background : Many cancer patients who get bone metastases live longer thanks to the successful research and development of medicines during recent years. Many studies show general health benefits from physical activity. For patients with bone metastases the possibility of physical activity perhaps should limit? Nurses at oncological units are often in lifelong contact with this group of patients. It´s therefore important to have knowledge about the bone metastases and how it influence the patient´s possibility of performing physical activity in order to support and encourage the patient to safely physical activity. Aim : To describe the patient´s possibility of physical activity with metastases to the bone. Method : A literature study. Results : The extension of the bone metastases shall be verified through X-ray. Based on the result estimation should be done regarding the risks for fractures. Few metastases allow the patient to perform more physical activity. No study showed that physical activity according to carefully elaborated exercise programmes will be of any risk for patients with bone metastases. Conclusions : The conclusion of this study was that research within nursing of the chosen problem is limited. The nurse is the one who often meets this group of patients in treatment and it is important that he/she has adequate knowledge about the individual patients’ possibilities to perform physical activity. Even if the result was not that big there is still a consensus among the articles included. Nevertheless this area seems to be fairly unexplored and more studies are needed to strengthen the evidence.

Background: Using a nude rat model of site-specific metastatic bone disease (MBD), we developed a semiquantitative histological score for rapid assessment of lytic lesions in bone. This provides additional information to conventional histological measurement by clarifying the extent and location of metastatic infiltration and the tumor growth pattern. The score can also be used to assess the action of bisphosphonates on bone metastases. Materials and Methods: Male nude rats (n = 12 per group) were inoculated with the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 via the femoral artery. Following appearance of radiographically visible osteolytic lesions on day 18, the animals received phosphate-buffered saline (PBS; controls) or ibandronate (IBN, 10 µg P/kg) daily until day 30. Whole body radiographs were obtained on days 18 and 30, and osteolytic areas (OA) were determined by radiographic computer-based analysis (CBA). On day 30, MBD was assessed in both tibias using conventional histological CBA and the new scoring system. Results: Metastatic tumor area correlated with the total sum of the new score in both PBS- (r = 0.762) and IBN-treated animals (r = 0.951; p < 0.001). OA correlated well with the total sum in both groups (r = 0.845 and 0.854, respectively; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Significant reduction of bone marrow and cortical infiltration of tumor cells with IBN suggested local control of metastases. / Hintergrund: Mit Hilfe eines etablierten Tiermodells zur Erzeugung lokalisationsspezifischer Knochenmetastasen in der Nacktratte wurde ein semiquantitatives histologisches Graduierungssystem zur schnellen Bewertung osteolytischer Knochenmetastasen entwickelt. Das Graduierungssystem liefert hinsichtlich der Metastasenlokalisation, deren Ausmaß und Infiltrationsmuster wertvolle Zusatzinformationen zu den konventionellen histologischen Untersuchungsmethoden. Damit kann beispielsweise auch die pharmakologische Wirkung von Bisphosphonaten auf die Knochenmetastasierung beurteilt werden. Material und Methoden: Männlichen Nacktratten (n = 12 pro Gruppe) wurden Zellen der humanen Brustkrebszellinie MDA-MB-231 in die Oberschenkelarterie inokuliert. Ab dem Auftreten radiologisch erkennbarer Osteolysen 18 Tage nach Inokulation erhielten die Tiere bis zum Studienende (Tag 30) täglich entweder eine subkutane Applikation einer Phosphat-Puffer-Lösung (Kontrollgruppe) oder Ibandronat (IBN, 10 µg P/kg; Behandlungsgruppe). Konventionelle Röntgenaufnahmen wurden an den Tagen 18 und 30 nach Tumorinokulation angefertigt und die Osteolysenflächen mittels Computerauswertung bestimmt. Nach Studienende wurde der Metastasenbefall in beiden Tibiae sowohl konventionell histologisch als auch mittels des neuen Graduierungssystems ausgewertet. Ergebnisse: Die Metastasenfläche korrelierte mit der kummulativen Punktsumme des Graduierungssystems sowohl in der Kontrollgruppe (r = 0,762; p < 0,001) als auch in der Ibandronat- Gruppe (r = 0,951; p < 0,001). Ebenso war die Osteolysenfläche eng mit der Punktesumme in beiden Gruppen korreliert (r = 0,845 und 0,854; p < 0,001). Schlussfolgerung: Die signifikante Reduktion von Knochenmark- und Kortikalisbefall durch IBN deuten auf eine gute lokale Kontrolle des Metastasenwachstums hin. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

En chirurgie reconstructive osseuse les biomatériaux remplacent le tissu osseux manquant et dans le cas de pathologies ils peuvent également délivrer des molécules actives. L’élément semi-métallique, gallium (Ga), est utilisé dans le traitement de différentes pathologies liées à la résorption accélérée de l’os dû à son effet inhibiteur sur les ostéoclastes (cellules résorbantes de l’os). Le Ga peut être incorporé dans la structure des biomatériaux osseux et nous nous sommes intéressés aux propriétés biologiques de ces derniers. In vitro, en présence de Ga nous avons mis en évidence une diminution de la différentiation des ostéoclastes, ainsi qu’une sur-expression de plusieurs marqueurs des ostéoblastes (cellules formatrices d’os). In vivo, le modèle murin de comblement du défaut osseux a montré une augmentation de la quantité de tissu osseux néoformé avec un biomatériau chargé en Ga vs. contrôle. Ces données démontrent que les biomatériaux chargés en Ga sont compatibles avec la survie et la prolifération des cellules osseuses et que le Ga peut améliorer la reconstruction osseuse. D’autre part, étant donné que des effets anti-tumoraux du Ga sont largement décrits, nous avons étudié ces effets sur une lignée cellulaire cancéreuse, choisie pour son affinité pour le tissu osseux. Nous avons montré que le Ga réduit la prolifération et probablement le potentiel tumoral de cette lignée, mais aussi la différentiation ostéoclastique induite par les cellules cancéreuses. Ces effets inhibiteurs observés dans un contexte tumoral indiquent que le Ga est un candidat intéressant pour le couplage avec des biomatériaux destinés au comblement osseux après une résection tumorale. / In bone reconstructive surgery biomaterials commonly replace the missing tissue and in case of pathologies can also serve as vectors for drug delivery. The semi-metallic element gallium (Ga) is used for the treatment of several disorders associated with accelerated bone resorption, due to its inhibitory action on bone-resorbing cells (osteoclasts). Since Ga can be incorporated into the structure of bone biomaterials, we embarked on characterising the biological properties of novel Ga-loaded materials. In vitro, we observed a decrease in osteoclast differentiation and the upregulated expression of several osteoblastic markers (bone-forming cells) in the presence of Ga-loaded biomaterial. In vivo, using a rat bone defect model, we showed an increase in newly formed bone tissue in implants filled with Ga-loaded biomaterial vs. control. Taken together, our data indicate that Ga-loaded biomaterials provide biocompatible substrates allowing bone cells survival and improved bone reconstruction in vivo. Taking into account antitumoral effects of Ga, largely described in literature, we also investigated its impact on a bone metastatic model. Using an aggressive human cancer cell line selected for its ability to invade bone tissue, we showed that Ga could reduce cancer cell proliferation and viability and reverse excessive osteoclastogenesis in bone metastatic environment. Moreover, we demonstrated that Ga modulated the expression of several marker genes hindering the tumour-propagating potential of cancer cells. Thus, due to its inhibitory action on cancer cells, Ga could represent an attractive additive to biomaterials used for tissue reconstruction after tumour resection.

Les tumeurs locales de la prostate sont associées à une évolution lente et une bonne survie, alors que les stades plus avancés révèlent dans 80% des cas des métastases osseuses incurables. La découverte de gènes de fusion issus de remaniements chromosomiques, tel que TMPRSS2:ERG dans plus de 50% des cas, a ouvert une nouvelle voie dans la compréhension du processus de cancérisation de la prostate. La présence de ce gène de fusion peut être associée à un mauvais pronostic dans de nombreuses études cliniques. Cependant, son rôle précis au cours de la cancérisation et de la progression du cancer de la prostate reste à déterminer. Le gène Erg (Ets related gene) code un facteur de transcription dont l’expression est notamment associée à la mise en place du cartilage, et plus largement du squelette. Ceci suggère un rôle potentiel du gène de fusion impliquant ce facteur, et de ses gènes cibles, dans la formation des métastases osseuses du cancer de la prostate.Pour notre étude, nous avons utilisé des lignées de cellules tumorales prostatiques PC3 et PC3c, exprimant stablement le gène de fusion TMPRSS2:ERG et précédemment établies au laboratoire. Dans un premier temps, en utilisant un modèle d’injections intratibiales chez les souris SCID, nous avons démontré que l’expression ectopique de la fusion améliore la capacité d’induction de lésions ostéocondensantes en inhibant l’ostéolyse dans le modèle PC3 ostéolytique, et en stimulant l’ostéoformation dans le modèle PC3c mixte (ostéolytique et ostéocondensant). Cette expression ectopique de la fusion augmente également l’ostéomimétisme dans les deux modèles cellulaires, c’est-à-dire l’acquisition d’un phénotype semblable aux cellules osseuses leur conférant des avantages de survie et de propagation dans la moelle osseuse. En outre, trois nouveaux gènes cibles de TMPRSS2:ERG ont été mis en évidence : ET-1 (Endothelin-1), stimulant la différenciation ostéoblastique et inhibant la résorption osseuse ostéoclastique, ALPL (Alkaline Phosphatase Liver/Bone/Kidney), marqueur de différenciation des ostéoblastes, et COL1A1 (Collagen Type 1 Alpha 1), composant de la matrice osseuse, témoignant d’un rôle du gène de fusion dans la formation de métastases ostéocondensantes du cancer de la prostate.Par ailleurs, deux autres gènes ont été étudiés, codant soit une protéine impliquée dans la stabilisation de structures particulières appelées invadopodes, soit une protéine impliquée dans le métabolisme des lipides. L’ensemble de ces résultats contribue à mieux comprendre les mécanismes de cancérisation et d’évolution métastatique du cancer de la prostate, en particulier l’influence de l’expression du gène de fusion TMPRSS2:ERG dans les métastases osseuses du cancer de la prostate. / Local prostate cancers are associated with slow progression and good survival, while advanced stages reveal incurable bone metastases in 80% of cases. The discovery of fusion genes resulting from chromosomal rearrangements, such as TMPRSS2:ERG in more than 50% of cases, opened a new way in understanding the process of prostate cancer. The presence of this fusion gene may be associated with poor prognosis in many clinical studies. However, its precise role during cancerization and progression of prostate cancer remains to be determined. The Erg gene (Ets related gene) encodes a transcription factor whose expression is associated in particular with embryonic skeleton development. This suggests a potential role of the fusion gene involving this factor, and its target genes, in the formation of prostate cancer bone metastases.In this study, we used prostate cancer cell lines PC3 and PC3c, stably expressing the TMPRSS2:ERG fusion gene and previously established in the laboratory. First, using a model of intratibial injections in SCID mice, we demonstrated that ectopic expression of the fusion enhances the ability to induce osteoblastic lesions by inhibiting osteolysis in the osteolytic PC3 model, and by stimulating osteoformation in the mixed PC3c model (osteolytic and osteoblastic). This ectopic expression of the fusion also increases osteomimicry in both cell models, meaning the acquisition of a bone-cell-like phenotype which gives them advantages of survival and spread in the bone marrow. In addition, three new TMPRSS2:ERG target genes have been described: ET-1 (Endothelin-1), stimulating osteoblastic differentiation and inhibiting osteoclastic bone resorption, ALPL (Alkaline Phosphatase Liver/Bone/Kidney), a marker of the osteoblasts differentiation, and COL1A1 (Collagen Type 1 Alpha 1), a component of the bone matrix, providing novel insights into the role of the fusion gene in the formation of osteoblastic metastases of prostate cancer.In addition, two other genes have been studied, encoding either a protein involved in the stabilization of particular structures called invadopodia, or a protein involved in lipid metabolism.All these results contribute to decipher the mechanisms of cancerization and metastatic progression of prostate cancer, in particular the influence of the expression of TMPRSS2:ERG fusion gene in prostate cancer bone metastases.