TY - JOUR T1 - Exhaled MMP-9 in lung cancer JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 40 IS - Suppl 56 SP - P310 AU - Giovanna Elisiana Carpagnano AU - Donato Lacedonia AU - Elio Costantino AU - Anna Rita Depalo AU - Cinzia Ruggeri AU - Grazia Pia Palladino AU - Maria Pia Foschino Barbaro Y1 - 2012/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P310.abstract N2 - Background: MMP-9 has been recognized in several types of tumour development and progression, including lung cancer, for its role in the degradation and remodelling of lung tissue. Furthermore, increased MMP-9 has been commonly described in the serum and airways of non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate, for the first time, MMP-9 in the exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of NSCLC patients.Participants: We enrolled 40 NSCLC patients and 40 controls affected by transudative pleural effusion.Measurements: MMP-9 concentrations were measured in the EBC, whole blood (WB) and pleural effusion (PE) of all the subjects under study using EIA kits.Results: MMP-9 levels were found to be significantly higher in EBC, WB and PE of NSCLC patients compared with controls. A positive correlation was observed between MMP-9 in EBC, cigarettes smoked and stage of cancer.Conclusion: Exhaled MMP-9 was elevated in NSCLC patients, especially during tumour progression, and could represent a suitable non-invasive marker in the diagnosis and monitoring of lung cancer. ER -