Toward the clinical use of circulating biomarkers predictive of bone union

Biomark Med. 2017 Dec;11(12):1125-1133. doi: 10.2217/bmm-2017-0180. Epub 2017 Nov 28.

Abstract

Current methods for diagnosis of bone healing after treatment of trauma injuries rely on clinical findings and the use of imaging methodologies that provide conclusive results but only at mid/long-term post-intervention. In this Perspective we present and discuss incipient evidence on biomarkers that may serve for monitoring the progression of bone healing as well as predicting eventual nonunion outcomes.

Keywords: TGF-β1; biomarker; nonunion; osteogenesis; pseudoarthrosis; regenerative medicine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Female
  • Fracture Healing*
  • Fractures, Bone / blood*
  • Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Fractures, Bone / therapy
  • Humans
  • Male

Substances

  • Biomarkers