Homocysteine, a biomarker of osteosarcoma.

AIM OF STUDY: The present study was planned to analyze the status of serum homocysteine (hcy), folate, and Vitamin B 12 in patients with osteosarcoma.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The present study was conducted on 60 orthopedics patients who were divided into two groups, group I with 30 patients of osteosarcoma and group II with 30 patients with musculoskeletal pain.

RESULTS

The present study indicated that serum folate and hcy levels were increased in osteosarcoma patients and decreased Vitamin B 12 in osteosarcoma patients when compared to controls.

CONCLUSION

Lowered serum Vitamin B 12 levels are possibly due to increased metabolic demand of the tumor. Raised hcy levels could be due to the contribution from rapidly proliferating cells. The present study suggests that these parameters can serve as useful markers for diagnosis and follow-up of disease.