Le nuove frontiere della ricerca in oncologia del sistema muscolo-scheletrico

Abstract

Basic science research holds the promise of rounds of discovery that will help to overcome treatment barriers for primary bone tumors. The management of primary bone sarcomas has achieved a consistently high level around the world. The growth and development of international specialty organizations such as the European Musculoskeletal Oncology Society, Musculoskeletal Tumor Society, Asia-Pacific Tumor Society, International Society of Limb Salvage, and Connective Tissue Oncology Society, as well as of domestic orthopaedic and collaborative study groups, have made great strides in educating the medical and surgical communities about the best practices in the modern care of primary bone tumors. However, these marked improvements have brought us to a plateau over the past two decades. Unacceptably high rates of tumor resistance to chemotherapy and of local and distant relapse remain. Only incremental progress has been achieved in managing the three most common bone cancers: osteogenic sarcoma (OGS), Ewing’s sarcoma, and chondrosarcoma. The management of benign tumors is generally successful, but not universally so. For example, certain benign tumors, such as giant cell tumor and aneurysmal bone cyst, have persistently high local recurrence rates. Basic science research holds the key to solve the refractory clinical problems. Important strides have been made in understanding the etiology and factors contributing to the progression of these primary tumors. This article summarizes many of the exciting ideas and results in primary bone tumor research, focusing on the most common skeletal cancer: OGS.