Osteosarcoma: concepts and prospects through the lens of translational science

Late diagnosis and relapse after chemotherapy or surgical resection in case of osteosarcoma always remain a challenge. With low five-year survival rates, disease recurrence and poor prognosis, a better understanding of the molecular pathways involved in the progression of osteosarcoma is a prerequisite. A deeper understanding of osteosarcoma pathogenesis had led to an increase in translational studies for the development of more safer and targetted drugs. Recently, novel therapeutics have emerged which can be promising in increasing survival rates among osteosarcoma patients with minimal drug resistance. The treatment strategies include combination therapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, stem cell transplant, targetted therapy miRNA, CRISPR/Cas9, epitherapeutics, etc. Therapeutics like immunomodulators, cytokines, cancer vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, etc. are the major advancements in modern translational medicine especially in patients with resi­stance towards conventional treatment regimens. The validation and application of these novel therapies in the context of osteosarcoma prognosis, prophylaxis, diagnosis and treatment are subject to further researches and outcomes of clinical trials.