Abstract
Hypothesis: Advanced stage in lung cancer is associated to increased CRP levels in serum.
Objective: To compare blood levels of different inflammatory markers (TNFα, IL-8, C Reactive Protein [CRP] in patients with different stages of lung cancer.
Method: 56 patients diagnosed of lung cancer were included (53 males, 64,59±9,73 years, X±SD). All of them underwent studies for disease staging, including fiberbronchoscopy and computed tomography, and positron emission tomography (PET) if indicated. Serum CRP levels were determined by nephelometry and TNFa and IL-8 by ELISA.
Results: A significant correlation between staging and serum CRP (r=0.44,p<0.01) was observed. Patients in which CRP levels were higher than 40 mg/L were more likely to have metastatic disease (stage IV) with a specificity of 100%, sensitivity of 44,44%, positive predictive value of 100% and negative predictive value of 76,74%. TNFα and IL-8 were not associated with lung cancer staging.
Conclusions: Serum CRP levels higher than 40 mg/L are associated to metastatic disease in non small cell lung cancer.
- © 2011 ERS
