Thiocolchicoside a semi-synthetic derivative of the Glory Lily: a new weapon to fight metastatic bone resorption?

Metastatic bone disease is a serious clinical complication for the treatment of patients with advanced cancer, but few therapeutic options are currently available. Bisphosphonates are an established standard care for these patients, but new treatments are now emerging, including the use of monoclonal antibodies targeting the RANK ligand. In this issue of the BJP, Reuter et al. provide evidence that thiocolchicoside, a semi-synthetic derivative of the naturally occurring colchicoside, extracted from the seeds of Gloriosa superba (Liliaceae), prevented osteoclactogenesis by suppressing RANK ligand-mediated NF-κB activation. Thiolcolchicoside may thus represent an attractive therapeutic option for the management of bone metastatic disease.