M J Hung1, G M Oremek. 1. Depatment of Laboratory Medicine, Internal Medicine, Hospital of the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. martin.hung@gmx.de
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of the study was to test the bone resorption marker TRAcP 5b regarding its suitability for detection of bone metastases in breast cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum samples from a total of 101 patients with histologically proven breast cancer and from 100 healthy probands were analyzed. The patients were divided into three groups: eight patients without osseous involvement, 65 patients with untreated bone metastases, 28 patients whose bone metastases were treated with bisphosphonate therapy. RESULTS: The TRAcP 5b concentration was significantly higher in breast cancer patients compared to healthy probands. It was not possible to demonstrate a statistically significant difference in the TRAcP 5b concentration if osseous metastases in breast cancer patients were present or not. CONCLUSION: Our research cannot support the claim that TRAcP 5b could be useful as a diagnostic tool for the detection of bone metastases in patients with breast cancer.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of the study was to test the bone resorption marker TRAcP 5b regarding its suitability for detection of bone metastases in breast cancerpatients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum samples from a total of 101 patients with histologically proven breast cancer and from 100 healthy probands were analyzed. The patients were divided into three groups: eight patients without osseous involvement, 65 patients with untreated bone metastases, 28 patients whose bone metastases were treated with bisphosphonate therapy. RESULTS: The TRAcP 5b concentration was significantly higher in breast cancerpatients compared to healthy probands. It was not possible to demonstrate a statistically significant difference in the TRAcP 5b concentration if osseous metastases in breast cancerpatients were present or not. CONCLUSION: Our research cannot support the claim that TRAcP 5b could be useful as a diagnostic tool for the detection of bone metastases in patients with breast cancer.