The evaluation of Tracp5b as a marker for monitoring treatment results of bone metastasis in breast cancer patients

ObjectiveTo evaluate the sensitivity of serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b(Tracp5b) activity in monitoring bisphosphonate treatment results of bone metastasis in breast cancer(BC) patients.MethodsThe serum activities of Tracp5b, CEA, CA153 were measured in 58 BC patients, including 26 without bone metastasis, 32 with bone metastasis. The serum activities of Tracp5b, CEA, CA153 were also measured in 19 patients with bone metastasis after 3 months of bisphosphonate treatment. Eighteen healthy women with age from 34 to 70 served as control.ResultsSerum Tracp5b was significantly elevated in patients with bone metastasis compared with that in all any other groups(P < 0.05). The sensitivity of Tracp5b was 78.13% and the specificity was 86.36%. The sensitivity of CA153 was 37.50% and the specificity was 77.27%. The sensitivity of CEA was 21.88% and the specificity was 84.09%. The serum activity of Tracp5b decreased significantly(P < 0.05) after 3 months of bisphosphonate treatment, while the levels of CA153 and CEA were unchanged.ConclusionSerum Tracp5b activity is a useful diagnostic marker for bone metastasis in BC patients and can be used to evaluate the treatment results of bisphosphonate.