Diagnostic value of endothelial-specific molecule-1 levels in patients with bone tumors

In suspected bone tumors where imaging and histopathological evaluation are fundamental for diagnosis, minimally invasive blood biomarkers are needed for earlier diagnosis, initial assessment, and risk stratification. The aim of this research was to evaluate the diagnostic value of Endothelial-Specific Molecule-1 (ESM-1) levels in determining the presence of bone tumors and distinguishing between benign and malignant tumors.

This cross-sectional research, conducted at a research hospital, involved 60 participants diagnosed with bone tumors and 30 healthy participants. ESM-1 values were analyzed using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The data obtained were evaluated using binary logistic regression analysis and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

ESM-1 values were determined to be higher in the bone tumors group than in the control group. ROC analysis showed an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.895. Using a cut-off value of 138.94 ng/L for detecting bone tumors, the sensitivity and specificity were 78.3% and 80.0%, respectively. In addition, ESM-1, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein levels were found to be higher in the malignant subgroup than in the benign subgroup. In subgroup ROC analysis, ESM-1 perfectly discriminated against malignant tumors from both benign tumors (AUC = 1.000) and healthy controls (AUC = 1.000), with sensitivities and specificities of 100% at cut-off values of 204.54 ng/L and 195.00 ng/L, respectively. For differentiating benign tumors from healthy controls, the AUC was 0.789, with 70.0% sensitivity and 70.0% specificity at a cut-off value of 125.54 ng/L.

ESM-1 levels may have potential diagnostic value in distinguishing between bone tumors and malignant tumors; however, these results need to be confirmed in larger samples.