An in vivo optical imaging assay for detection of bone metastases and osteolytic activity for the monitoring of therapeutics

Background and Purpose:: Skeletal metastases are observed in many malignancies including breast, prostate, thyroid, kidney, bladder and lung cancers. High bone turnover with excess bone resorption is an archetypal feature of most, if not all, bone metastases. Bisphosphonates, as inhibitors of osteoclast mediated bone resorption, are established as the main treatment for patients with bone metastases. This treatment delays the rate at which skeletal-related events occur but does not provide a life-prolonging benefit to patients with advanced disease. In the past few years, there has been much new understanding of…