Background and aims Osteosarcoma (OS) is a primary malignant bone tumour, deriving from primitive bone-forming mesenchyme and characterised by the production of osteoid tissue or immature bone. The importance of bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) as prognostic markers is still discussed. The aim of this study was to investigate serum levels of BALP and HER-2 in patients with OS during clinical treatment. Methods We studied 22 patients (5 girls, 17 boys) at the age 7–20 years with osteosarcoma treated at the Institute of Mother and Child in Warsaw. All patients were evaluated for the serum levels of BALP and HER-2 before treatment onset, during pre- and postoperative chemotherapy and after termination of treatment. Healthy children (n = 22) were the reference group. The levels of BALP and HER-2 were measured using immunoenzymatic methods. Results The values of BALP and HER-2 proteins were higher (p Conclusions Our results demonstrate different pattern of BALP and HER-2 proteins during clinical treatment. However, low values of both markers during therapy may characterise remission of disease and favourable prognosis for patients with OS. Further longitudinal studies are necessary to confirm the prognostic values of BALP and HER-2 proteins in this group of patients.
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