Research Progress of Cuproptosis in Orthopaedics: Opportunities and Challenges.

Cuproptosis, a recently identified and copper-dependent form of regulated cell death, has emerged as a potential therapeutic target for a variety of diseases. This review synthesizes current evidence from PubMed to elucidate the mechanisms of cuproptosis and its implications in common orthopaedic disorders, including arthritis, bone tumours and osteoporosis. We systematically explore the dual role of copper homeostasis-highlighting how its dysregulation contributes to disease pathogenesis and how its targeted modulation may offer novel therapeutic strategies. Finally, we discuss the associated challenges and future directions for translating cuproptosis research into clinical orthopaedics practice.