Mechanistic studies in osteoblasts confirmed the role of osteoblast-specific IKKβ in the reciprocal interaction between osteoblast and breast cancer cells by showing that pre-exposure of osteoblasts to IKKβ inhibitors reduced RANKL and OPG production by osteoblasts and these effects were accompanied with significant inhibition of IκB phosphorylation. This evidence concerns the gene TNFSF11 and breast cancer.