To evaluate serum levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG), soluble receptor activator of the nuclear factor-κB (RANKL), and their
relationship with FGF-23, lumbar bone mineral density (BMD), and bone turnover markers, five patients with tumor-induced osteomalacia
(TIO) and 40 healthy controls were studied. TIO patients were followed for 360 days after surgical removal of underlying tumor
(
n = 2) or beginning of therapy with phosphate and calcitriol when surgical treatment was impossible (
n = 3). At diagnosis, TIO patients had higher levels of FGF-23 and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (bALP) and lower levels
of cathepsin K (CathK), RANKL, and RANKL/OPG ratio compared to controls. During the follow-up, FGF-23 decreased significantly
only in patients who underwent a surgical excision, while phosphate and BMD increased in all patients. The increases in BMD,
phosphate, and renal phosphate reabsorption rate were directly related. In the first 60 days of follow-up, we observed a prolonged
inhibition of RANKL, CathK, and bone resorption markers associated with a persistence of TIO symptoms and an increase in bALP.
From day 60, levels of bone turnover markers returned progressively within the normal range and a clinical remission was observed.
The inhibition of the RANKL/OPG pathway and the uncoupling of bone formation and resorption observed in patients with active
TIO may be a compensatory mechanism, attempting to reduce worsening of osteomalacia. The BMD increase during TIO treatment
is related to the improvement of phosphate rather than FGF-23 levels. A “hungry bone”-like syndrome was observed after surgical
or pharmacological treatment.
Keywords Oncogenic osteomalacia - Osteoprotegerin system - Bone turnover - Bone mineral density - Longitudinal study