Components of the RANK/RANKL/OPG System, IL-6, IL-8, IL-16, MMP-2, and Calcitonin in the Sera of Patients with Bone Tumors

Serum levels of sRANKL, RANK, OPG, IL-8, IL-6, IL-16, MMP-2, and calcitonin were measured by ELISA in patients with malignant, borderline, and benign bone tumors and in healthy individuals (control). Serum levels of RANK, OPG, IL-8, IL-6, and the OPG/sRANKL ratio were signifi cantly higher, while the level of MMP-2 was signifi cantly lower in patients with bone tumors than in controls. Serum concentration of IL-16 in osteosarcoma patients was signifi cantly lower than in chondrosarcoma patients. No signifi cant differences between bone sarcomas of different differentiation were detected for any of the studied markers. Calcitonin level depended on the tumor location and type.