Tyrosine kinase inhibition in bone metabolism.

Inhibition of tyrosine kinase signaling has become increasingly important as a therapeutic approach for a variety of diseases, initially for cancer, but also for inflammatory and non-malignant hyperproliferative diseases (psoriasis) amongst others. Recently, inhibitors of the tyrosine kinase c-Src, have for the first time been shown to reduce bone loss after estrogen withdrawal in an animal model of osteoporosis. Here we review the current state of knowledge on the effects of tyrosine kinase inhibition on bone metabolism with a particular emphasis on inhibitors of c-Src.