CTX and NTX are markers of bone resorption (degradation products). CTX and NTX are derived from the enzymatic hydrolysis of type 1 collagen, they are peptides related to regions of cross-linking with pyridinoline (PYD). Collagen type 1 represents over 90% of the protein in bone.What is CTX?
CTX is an abbreviation for urinary or serum collagen type 1 cross-linked C-telopeptide (CTX).
C-telopeptides cross-links of bone Type I collagen are sensitive markers of bone resorption in osteolytic diseases such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.
High levels of CTX and NTX indicate excessive bone turnover and is a sign of osteoporosis. Levels of CXT and NT decrease with bisphosphonates therapy. Very low levels may indicate over-aggressive treatment of osteoporosis with bisphosphonates.
Women with high serum CTX (T score greater than 2) have a 25% probability of fracture over 5 years. Women with low BMD and high CTX have 54% probability of fracture over 5 years.
What is NTX?
NTX is an abbreviation for urinary collagen type 1 cross-linked N-telopeptide. NTX, the amino terminal cross-linked peptide of type I collagen, is released during bone resorption.
How to measure CTX and NTX peptides?
Rather than use the cross-links themselves as markers, there are assays based on specific antibodies against isolated collagen peptides containing cross-links.
The pyridinium cross-links and the collagen telopeptides involving the cross-linking sites are considered the best indices for the assessment of bone resorption. Serum CTX is the mostly commonly used measurement. Urine and serum CTX are used for following antiresorptive therapy.
For a 90% specificity to predict a positive BMD response (+3%), cut-offs, expressed as a percentage decrease from baseline, are as follows:
-Urine NTX and urine CTX, -45% to –65%
- Serum CTX, -35% to –55%
A change of greater than 30% is significant.
References:
C-Telopeptide Pyridinoline Cross-Links: Sensitive Indicators of Periodontal Tissue Destruction. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1999 June 30; 878: 404–412.
Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: Workup. eMedicine.
Utility of Bone Markers in Osteoporosis. eMedicine.
Serum CTX: a new marker of bone resorption that shows treatment effect more often than other markers because of low coefficient of variability and large changes with bisphosphonate therapy. Rosen HN, Moses AC, Garber J, Iloputaife ID, Ross DS, Lee SL, Greenspan SL. Calcif Tissue Int. 2000 Feb;66(2):100-3.
Illustration: Bone Remodeling. Obgyn.net.
Risk of esophageal cancer increased with 10 or more prescriptions for oral bisphosphonates over a 5 year period. http://goo.gl/m0fT
It is reasonable to stop bisphosphonates after 5 years of use and then to follow patients with markers of bone turnover http://goo.gl/YmNS9
Image source: Flickr, a Creative Commons license.
It is reasonable to stop bisphosphonates after 5 years of use and then to follow patients with markers of bone turnover http://goo.gl/YmNS9
Image source: Flickr, a Creative Commons license.
I have been scheduled for upper jaw surgery (2=piece LeFort I) next Tuesday. Because of my history of osteoporosis, my surgeon ordered a CTX test. My score was 100, down from 275 18 months ago, despite the addtion since then of evista and fortical. over that same period my spine BMD improved marginally and my hip BMD stayed the same.
ReplyDeleteCan someone explain to me in layman's terms what the CTX test is measuring and how much risk my "low" score translates to in terms of upper jaw surgery?
Margaret
Not sure about the answer of your question. Probably better to ask your doctor rather than to rely on website comments.
ReplyDeleteIt has been suggested that a treatment for osteoporosis (bisphosphonates) are linked to a condition called osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) or weakening of the jaw. High levels of CTX have been implicated in the risk of ONJ following bisphosphate treatment.
ReplyDeleteThe evidence for this is very weak at the moment and it is at best a possibility and worse a scare story for the many people on treatment for osteoporosis.
I imagine your surgeon ordered this test because of the few reports written on this link, which is understandable, but probably not the cause of your jaw condition.
Anyway, looking at the date of your post it would appear you've already been seen. Hopefully your treatment went well and your jaw problems are resolved.