RANK ligand (RANKL)
RANK ligand is the signal that tells bone-dissolving cells to get to work. Cancers in the bone hijack it; denosumab blocks it to prevent fractures and other bone complications.
Overview
Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (TNFSF11) is produced by osteoblasts and stromal cells and binds RANK on osteoclast precursors, driving their maturation and bone resorption. Bone metastases and myeloma cells increase RANKL, feeding a vicious cycle of resorption and growth-factor release. Denosumab, a fully human anti-RANKL antibody, prevents skeletal-related events in bone metastases and myeloma (Xgeva) and treats giant cell tumour of bone and hypercalcaemia of malignancy; it is also an osteoporosis drug (Prolia). Osteonecrosis of the jaw and rebound fractures on discontinuation are the notable risks.
- Target · the protein and the cell it sits on
- Drug · antibody, small molecule, cell or radioligand
- Effect · signal, damage or kill
In plain words · RANK ligand is the signal that tells bone-dissolving cells to get to work. Cancers in the bone hijack it; denosumab blocks it to prevent fractures and other bone complications.
- 1 · What it is
RANK ligand is the signal that tells bone-dissolving cells to get to work. Cancers in the bone hijack it; denosumab blocks it to prevent fractures and other bone complications.
- 2 · What goes wrong in cancer
RANKL also functions in lymph node development and mammary gland biology; RANK signalling in breast epithelium has been linked to progestin-driven and BRCA1-associated tumorigenesis.
- 3 · How drugs use it
1 product aims at RANK ligand (RANKL): antibodies. The target is on the supporting tissue around the tumour, so drugs aim to breach the wall or use it as a beacon for radioligands and imaging.
Elsewhere
Biology
RANKL also functions in lymph node development and mammary gland biology; RANK signalling in breast epithelium has been linked to progestin-driven and BRCA1-associated tumorigenesis.
- Bone metastases from breast, prostate and lung cancer
- Multiple myeloma bone disease
- Giant cell tumour of bone
Latest papers
topQuery for this target: (TITLE:"RANK ligand" OR ABSTRACT:"RANK ligand" OR TITLE:"RANKL" OR ABSTRACT:"RANKL" OR TITLE:"TNFSF11" OR ABSTRACT:"TNFSF11") AND (cancer OR tumor OR tumour OR oncology OR carcinoma OR lymphoma OR leukemia OR leukaemia OR myeloma OR sarcoma OR melanoma OR glioma). Results are unfiltered search hits about RANK ligand (RANKL), not a curated reading list.
Pages like this
not linked directly; found by shared links- ProductPamidronate
Shares Denosumab, Bone-modifying agents (bisphosphonates, denosumab), Multiple myeloma, HR-positive / HER2-negative breast cancer.
- ProductIbandronic acid
Shares Denosumab, Bone-modifying agents (bisphosphonates, denosumab), HR-positive / HER2-negative breast cancer.
- ProductZoledronic acid
Shares Denosumab, Bone-modifying agents (bisphosphonates, denosumab), Multiple myeloma, Prostate cancer.
- TermBone metastases and skeletal-related events
Shares Denosumab, Bone-modifying agents (bisphosphonates, denosumab), Multiple myeloma, Prostate cancer.
- ProductSipuleucel-T
Shares Multiple myeloma, Prostate cancer.
- CompanyFoghorn Therapeutics
Shares Multiple myeloma, Prostate cancer, HR-positive / HER2-negative breast cancer.
- TechnologyPalliative radiotherapy
Shares Bone-modifying agents (bisphosphonates, denosumab), Multiple myeloma, Prostate cancer, HR-positive / HER2-negative breast cancer.
- IdeaFix the neutrophil count rule that excludes many people of African ancestry
Shares Multiple myeloma, Prostate cancer.