The clinical use of bone resorption markers in patients with malignant bone disease

Advanced tumors often metastasize to bone, resulting in a variety of skeletal complications. Bisphosphonates are potent inhibitors of osteoclast‐mediated bone resorption that reduce the incidence and delay the onset of skeletal complications and reduce the need for radiation and surgery. Biochemical markers of bone resorption have been identified that can augment the imaging techniques used to diagnose bone metastases and assess response to bisphosphonate therapy.