Identification of TRACP 5b as a local recurrence biomarker in giant cell tumor of bone

Giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) has a high potential for local recurrence after surgical treatment. It is characterized by the histological proliferation of osteoclast-like multinucleated giant cells. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP5b) is a reliable serum marker of bone resorption. This study aimed to investigate the impact of TRACP5b levels on the local recurrence of GCTB following surgical treatment.

We retrospectively analyzed data from 47 primary GCTB patients who underwent serum TRACP5b testing and surgical treatment between 2015 and 2022. We statistically evaluated the correlation between TRACP5b levels and clinical characteristics. Patients were stratified into two groups based on TRACP5b levels, and the association between TRACP5b and local recurrence was assessed across various clinical parameters.

The mean TRACP5b level in male patients (2062 ± 2289 mU/dL) was significantly higher than in female patients (976 ± 487 mU/dL; p = 0.048). A moderate positive correlation was observed between tumor size and TRACP5b levels (r = 0.586, p < 0.001). Gender, tumor location (trunk, lower extremity, and upper extremity), tumor size, and TRACP5b levels were significantly associated with local recurrence-free survival (p values were 0.037, 0.0006, 0.048, and 0.004, respectively).

This study identified preoperative TRACP5b levels as a prognostic factor for local recurrence in GCTB patients, highlighting its potential utility in risk stratification and personalized management.