Change in FGF-2 circulating levels after arterial embolization in patients with bone metastases

Arterial embolization, aimed at the mechanical occlusion of tumor-feeding vessels, represents a satisfactory palliative therapy for bone metastases. In this study, we evaluated if the circulating levels of three factors related to the metastatic process change in response to embolization. Seven patients who underwent embolization of a single skeletal metastasis from carcinomas were analyzed prospectively. Circulating levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGF-A), Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF-2), and Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase-5b Isoform (TRACP5b) were evaluated before and after embolization at 1, 3, and 6 months. According to morphological and clinical evaluations, all the embolizations were successful. VEGF-A and TRACP5b did not show significant changes after the treatment. On the contrary, FGF-2 signifi- cantly decreased 1 month after the treatment. FGF-2 appears as a promising candidate for monitoring the efficacy of emboli- zation in patients with osteolytic metastases.