RANKL-From basic discovery to clinical application

Abstract

The RANKL/RANK system was first identified as a key regulator for osteoclast development and bone metabolism. This pathway also controls many other physiological processes, such as immunity, breast progenitor expansion and formation of a lactating mammary gland in pregnancy. Notably, some recent studies have revealed that RANKL/RANK are a critical missing link for sex hormone- and BRCA1 mutation-driven mammary cancer, providing a unique opportunity to target RANKL/RANK as a future strategy to prevent the most common cancer in women - breast cancer.