ABSTRACT
Context: Osteosarcoma (OS) is a progressive primary bone tumor that originates from immature stromal spindle cells. After chemotherapy, the serum-related indexes which are related to the prognosis. Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between changes in serum cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), and tumor-specific growth factor (TSGF) levels and prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma (OS) before and after treatment. Settings and Design: Data of 75 patients with OS (observation group) and 55 healthy controls (control group) were retrospectively analyzed. Materials and Methods: Chemotherapy was administered to the observation group. Serum lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and TSGF levels were measured before and after treatment. The observation group patients were classified as normal or abnormal according to the changes in serum COX-2, bFGF, VEGF, TGF-β, and TSGF levels after chemotherapy. Patients were followed up for 7.5 years, and the survival rate was determined. Statistical Analysis Used: Single-factor influencing prognosis was included in the Cox model, and independent factors influencing prognosis were analyzed. Results: After chemotherapy, the mean serum COX-2, bFGF, VEGF, and TSGF levels decreased significantly in the observation group but were still higher than those in the control group. Furthermore, serum TGF-β levels increased in the observation group but were still lower than those in the control group. The 5-year survival rate of patients with normal serum COX-2, bFGF, VEGF, and TSGF levels was significantly higher in the normal subgroup than in the abnormal subgroup. Cox analysis showed that the Enneking stage and COX-2 level after chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors. Conclusions: The serum COX-2, bFGF, VEGF, and TSGF levels of patients with OS significantly changed after chemotherapy, and the short-term survival rate of patients with normal levels of these biomarkers after chemotherapy was high