Cathepsin Inhibitors for Treatment of Breast Cancer Induced Bone Pain

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The World Health Organization estimates that the number of women living with breast cancer globally will rise to 15 million by the year 2020 with a significant portion of these patients in advanced stages of the disease. Breast cancer is the most frequent malignant tumor in women in the U.S. with nearly 200,000 women diagnosed each year. The U.S. NIH estimate overall costs of cancer in the U.S. in 2006 to be 206.3 billion with 78.2 billion in direct medical costs. Breast cancer commonly metastasizes to the bone resulting in excruciating pain, bone remodeling and eventual bone fracture contributing to incapacitating pain and limited or total loss of mobility. A recent study in cancer patients demonstrated a significant and severe deficit in treatment options for cancer pain, with a much higher incidence in minority patients. Reports also highlight the importance of patient quality of life in late stages of cancer, as well as the effects on surrounding family and phys