Bone is a frequent site for metastases patients with advanced solid tumors. Metastatic bone disease alters bone homeostasis and biochemical markers of bone turnover are studied in patients with cancer. These markers include bone matrix synthesis and degradation products, or enzymes expressed by osteoblasts or osteoclasts. Thus, the use of these biochemical markers of bone metabolism is being evaluated in screening for development of bone metastases, in predicting risk of skeletal-related events and survival in patients with bone metastases, and in monitoring response to antiresorptive therapy. Bone markers have potential to provide information, but their routine use in the clinic cannot be recommended yet.
Keywords: biomarkers; bisphosphonates; bone metastases; bone turnover; denosumab.