A novel combined score of biomarkers in sputum may be an indicator for lung cancer: A pilot study

Clin Chim Acta. 2018 Dec:487:139-144. doi: 10.1016/j.cca.2018.09.027. Epub 2018 Sep 14.

Abstract

Background: Lung cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and there is an urgent need for sensitive, specific, and reliable biomarkers.

Methods: The study population included 60 patients (31 with lung cancer and 29 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]) and thirty healthy individuals comprised the control group. Measurements of neutrophil, beclin-1, VEGF, ICAM, VCAM, and TNF-alpha levels in induced sputum were analyzed as possible biomarkers for lung cancer.

Results: Neutrophil, beclin-1, VEGF, ICAM and TNF-alpha levels of lung cancer patients differed significantly compared to those of COPD patients and healthy controls. A novel combined-score was created which was found to increase the likelihood to belong to the cancer group by 70% (odds-ratio 1.70 CI = 1.310-2.224,p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Biomarkers of autophagy, angiogenesis and inflammation in lung-cancer patients are significantly different from controls, and combination of these markers may be an indicator for lung cancer.

Keywords: Angiogenesis; Biomarkers; Inflammation; Screening.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Beclin-1 / analysis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / analysis
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Male
  • Neutrophils / chemistry
  • Pilot Projects
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / diagnosis*
  • Spirometry
  • Sputum / chemistry*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / analysis
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / analysis

Substances

  • Beclin-1
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1