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Bortezomib increases osteoblast activity in myeloma patients irrespective of response to treatment
Author(s) -
Heider Ulrike,
Kaiser Martin,
Müller Christian,
Jakob Christian,
Zavrski Ivana,
Schulz CarstenOliver,
Fleissner Claudia,
Hecht Monica,
Sezer Orhan
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
european journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1600-0609
pISSN - 0902-4441
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0609.2006.00692.x
Subject(s) - bortezomib , osteoblast , osteocalcin , multiple myeloma , medicine , dexamethasone , endocrinology , osteoclast , melphalan , prednisone , alkaline phosphatase , chemistry , in vitro , biochemistry , receptor , enzyme
Objectives : Myeloma bone disease is a result of excessive osteoclast activation and impaired osteoblast function. Recent in vitro studies suggested that proteasome inhibitors might increase osteoblast function. Methods : We analyzed serum markers of osteoblast activity in 25 patients with multiple myeloma receiving bortezomib alone or in combination with dexamethasone. As control, serum samples from 58 consecutive myeloma patients receiving a therapy different than bortezomib (i.e. adriamycin/dexamethasone, melphalan/prednisone or thalidomide) were evaluated. The serum concentrations of bone‐specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and osteocalcin were quantified before initiation of treatment and after 3 months. Results : In patients treated with bortezomib, mean serum levels of osteocalcin significantly increased from 6.3 to 10.8 μ g/L ( P = 0.024), while mean BAP levels increased from 19.7 to 30.2 U/L ( P < 0.0005). Of interest, the increase in BAP was significant both in responders and non‐responders. In contrast, the control group did not show a statistically significant change in BAP (24.8 U/L vs. 23.3 U/L) and osteocalcin (6.8 μ g/L vs. 6.5 μ g/L) before and after the treatment. Conclusion : These data show that treatment with bortezomib leads to enhanced markers of osteoblast activity in patients with myeloma. The comparison with the control group suggests that the effect on osteoblasts is unique to the proteasome inhibitor.