Value of bone and tumour markers in patients with malignant diseases

Introduction: Biochemical bone markers, such as the bone isoenzyme form of alkaline phosphatase have been used to assess the bone formation phase of bone turnover in health and disease. Skeletal metastases often occurre in patients with malignancies. Recent developments suggest that bone markers could be valuable clinical tools for the management of patients with metastatic bone disease. Material and Methods: Serum levels of BAP, along with serum levels of ß-CrossLap were measured in a large group (n=200) of patients with newly diagnosed or progressive cancer of the prostate, breast, colon, liver and pancreas. Tumor markers such as PSA, CEA, CA 19-9, AFP, CA 15-3 and bone marker levels were correlated with the presence or absence of bone scan–documented metastases. Results: Both of the bone markers examined were elevated in a high proportion of patients with confirmed metastases to bone. All Patients with prostate, breast and colon carcinoma showed elevated ß-CrossLap values. The determined values of ß-CrossLap and BAP were significantly correlated with the number of skeletal metastases. Conclusions: Markers of biochemical bone remodeling can be used in assessing and managing patients with malignancies that metastasize to bone. These markers are abnormally raised in the blood of patients with metastatic bone disease. (Clin Exp Med Lett 2008; 49(4): 215-217)

Keywords: Bone Diseases, bonemarkers, Malignancy, tumormarkers, bone metastasis