Use of bone turnover marker, pyridinoline cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP), in the assessment and monitoring of bone metastasis in prostate cancer

BACKGROUND. We investigated whether a new marker of bone turnover, pyridino line cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP), co uld be useful in the assessment of bone metastasis and in monitoring of the response to treatment in patients with prostate cancer with bone metastasi s. METHODS. In ail, 58 patients with prostate cancer (25 with bone metastasis and 33 without bone metastasis) and 52 patients with benign prostate hypert rophy who were treated between June 1994-August 1997 were included in this study. All patients were newly diagnosed. RESULTS. Serum ICTP levels in patients with prostate cancer with bone metas tasis were significantly higher than those in patients with prostate cancer without bone metastasis (P < 0.0001) or with benign prostate hypertrophy ( P < 0.0001). No significant differences were observed in serum ICTP levels between patients with prostate cancer without bone metastasis and those wit h benign prostate hypertrophy. Serum ICTP levels correlated significantly w ith Soloway's grading system for bone scans. Serum ICTP levels in patients with bone metastasis showed a significant downward trend in response to hor monal treatment. CONCLUSIONS. The determination of serum ICTP levels is useful in the assess ment of bone metastasis and in monitoring the response of bone metastasis t o treatment to prostate cancer. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.