Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) overexpression has been identified as a causative factor for tumor-induced osteomalacia
(TIO) characterized by hypophosphatemia due to increased renal phosphate wasting, low 1,25(OH)
2D
3 serum levels, and low bone density. The effects of long-lasting disturbed phosphate homeostasis on bone mineralization are
still not well understood. We report on a patient with a 12-year history of TIO, treated with 1,25(OH)
2D
3 and phosphate, who finally developed hyperparathyroidism with gland hyperplasia before the tumor could be localized in the
scapula and removed. During surgery a transiliac bone biopsy was obtained. FGF23 expression in the tumor cells was confirmed
by in situ hybridization. Serum FGF23 levels as measured by ELISA were found to be extremely elevated before and decreased
after removal of the tumor. Bone histology/histomorphometry and measurement of bone mineralization density distribution using
quantitative backscattered electron imaging were performed on the bone biopsy. The data showed important surface osteoidosis
and a slightly increased osteoblast but markedly decreased osteoclast number. The mineralized bone volume (−11%) and mineralized
trabecular thickness (−18%) were low. The mean degree of mineralization of the bone matrix (−7%), the most frequent calcium
concentration (−4.1%), and the amounts of fully mineralized bone (−40.3%) were distinctly decreased, while the heterogeneity
of mineralization (+44.5%) and the areas of primary mineralization (+131.6%) were dramatically increased. We suggest that
the elevated levels of FGF23 and/or low phosphate concentrations disturb the mineralization kinetics in vivo without affecting
matrix mineralization of pre-existing bone packets.
Keywords Tumor-induced osteomalacia - Fibroblast growth factor 23 - In situ hybridization - Bone histomorphometry - Bone mineralization density distribution
K. Nawrot-Wawrzyniak and F. Varga contributed equally to this work.