Lacunar-canalicular network in bone metastasis of prostate cancer as predisposing factor for weakness and fractures

One in 9 men will suffer from prostate cancer (PC) during his lifetime and 20% of them will face advanced metastatic disease. Bone metastases (BM) occur in ~80% of advanced PC patients causing severe pain and fractures that can generate spinal cord compression and immobility. Although PCBMs generate osteoblastic lesions with increased bone density, they still make bone weaker and easier to fracture. Our preliminary observations showed more and larger lacunae and altered canaliculi in PCBM, and lack of collagen organization. Here, we propose to use the X-ray phase-contrast nano-CT setup at the beam-line to analyze PCBM lacunar-canalicular network as a factor in understanding PCBM fragility. This beam-line, with the best available resolution and experience in 3D bone imaging, would help understanding lacunar-canalicular structure in PCBM, which can be related to stress accumulation and fractures, and provide insights on the intercellular communications in PCBM.