Serum concentration of pyridinoline cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen in patients with metastatic breast cancer

The serum concentration of pyridinoline crosslinked carboxyterminal telopep tide of type I collagen (ICTP) was examined in 83 patients with metastatic breast cancer: ICTP levels were significantly higher in patients with bone metastases than in those without bone metastasis. In patients with bone met astasis, significantly higher ICTP levels were observed in those with multi ple lesions than in those with a solitary lesion and these levels reflected therapeutic response. Sequential monitoring of ICTP revealed that this ele vation was correlated with disease progression. Combined with imaging studi es, monitoring of ICTP appears to offer additional information for detectio n of bone metastasis and evaluation of therapeutic response to bone metasta sis.