Increased levels of albumin in bronchial washing fluid of patients with bronchial carcinoma. Could albumin be considered as a tumor marker?
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of albumin in bronchial washing fluid (BWF) and its relationship to three tumor markers (CEA, CA 19-9 and NSE).


METHODS
Serum and BWF samples were collected in a group of 60 patients. Albumin and tumor markers in the BWF and serum of three groups: a control group (CG), a chronic bronchitis group (CBG) and a lung cancer group (CaG), were analyzed in a prospective cross-sectional study. The diagnostic yields of the tests in each environment (serum and BWF) were evaluated by using as cutoff points the values of the corresponding 90th percentile of CG and CBG taken together.


RESULTS
A significant difference in albumin level (p < 0.001) was noted in the BWF of patients with cancer compared with the other two groups. In addition, a significant difference in CEA level (p < 0.001) was observed in the serum of cancer patients compared with the other two groups. The cutoff values for CEA in serum and albumin in BWF were 2.20 ng/mL and 2.00 g/dL, respectively. The areas under the corresponding ROC curves were 93% and 97%. Combination of CEA-serum and albumin-BWF by logistic regression analysis increased their diagnostic value.


CONCLUSIONS
Measurement of albumin levels in BWF could be a useful additional diagnostic tool to differentiate malignant from non-malignant lung diseases. Moreover, the combined measurement of CEA in serum and albumin in BWF could be of aid in the follow-up of lung cancer patients.
Charokopos
N
N
Division of Pulmonology, Internal Medicine Department, University Hospital, Patras Greece.
Leotsinidis
M
M
Tsiamita
M
M
Kalofonos
H P
HP
Vasillakos
P
P
Christofidou
M
M
Spiropoulos
K
K
D000368:Aged; D000418:Albumins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000378:metabolism; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen / Q000097:blood; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood; D002283:Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000097:blood; D012372:ROC Curve; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012907:Smoking
D000418:Albumins; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase