Clinical significance of serum mitochondrial DNA in lung cancer

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical significance of serum mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in lung cancer.

Design and methods: Serum mtDNA from 65 lung cancer patients, 20 patients with benign lung diseases and 55 healthy individuals was quantified using real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR). Data were analyzed using statistical software SPSS 13.0.

Results: Serum mtDNA levels in lung cancer patients were significantly higher, compared to those in patients with benign lung diseases and healthy individuals (u=108, p=0.000; u=293, p=0.000), and closely associated with TNM stage (p=0.01). The use of serum mtDNA facilitated detection of lung cancer at a cutoff value of 0.74×10⁴ copies/μL with a sensitivity of 86.2% and specificity of 80.7%. However, serum mtDNA levels were not associated with patient age, gender, histological type, and lymph node metastasis (p>0.05).

Conclusions: Quantification of serum mtDNA using FQ-PCR potentially serves as a novel complementary tool to improve the clinical screening and detection of lung cancer.

Keywords: Diagnostic efficacy; Lung cancer; Serum mitochondrial DNA.