OSTEOCALCIN IS NOT A MARKER OF PROGRESS IN MULTIPLE-MYELOMA

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of serum osteocal cin (OC) levels in multiple myeloma (MM) in order to assess its signif icance and activity, and to predict its course. Serum OC was measureme nt in 117 patients with MM and 116 healthy controls matched for age an d sex. Serum OC levels were weakly correlated with Karnofsky index (r = 0.22; p<0.03). Lowest OC levels were observed when lytic bone lesion s increased (p<0.05). There was no relationship between serum OC level s and vertebral crush fractures, serum calcium concentrations or stage of MM, neither was there any relationship between initial serum OC le vels and survival. Progression of the disease was associated with a cl ear fall of serum OC in 61.5% of the ''progressive'' patients, versus 41% of the persisting ''stabilized'' cases. Serum OC level was strongl y correlated with bone formation (p = 0.005), but not with bone resorp tion. Serum OC level is a sensitive marker of osteoblast activity, but a poor marker of the severity of MM. We do not consider it as a marke r of MM activity or prognosis.