Dovitinib (TKI258) is a small molecule multi-kinase inhibitor currently in 
clinical phase I/II/III development for the treatment of various types of 
cancers. This drug has a safe and effective pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic 
profile. Although dovitinib can bind several kinases at nanomolar 
concentrations, there are no reports relating to osteoporosis or osteoblast 
differentiation. Herein, we investigated the effect of dovitinib on human 
recombinant bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2-induced osteoblast 
differentiation in a cell culture model. Dovitinib enhanced the BMP-2-induced 
alkaline phosphatase (ALP) induction, which is a representative marker of 
osteoblast differentiation. Dovitinib also stimulated the translocation of 
phosphorylated Smad1/5/8 into the nucleus and phosphorylation of 
mitogen-activated protein kinases, including ERK1/2 and p38. In addition, the 
mRNA expression of BMP-4, BMP-7, ALP, and OCN increased with dovitinib 
treatment. Our results suggest that dovitinib has a potent stimulating effect on 
BMP-2-induced osteoblast differentiation and this existing drug has potential 
for repositioning in the treatment of bone-related disorders.