Calcium crystal deposition diseases: update on pathogenesis and manifestations.

Basic calcium phosphate (BCP) and calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals are the most common types of pathologic calcium-containing crystals. Although these crystals long have been associated with a variety of rheumatic syndromes, recent evidence implicates BCP crystals in the pathogenesis of breast cancer and atherosclerosis. Although understanding of molecular mechanisms involved in generating these pathologic effects has been advanced significantly in recent years, they still are understood incompletely. Such advances are essential to the ongoing search for effective therapies for crystal-associated diseases.