Neuron-specific enolase and lung cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels in lung cancer have been investigated widely; however, their diagnostic values have not yet been clarified. The authors investigated the diagnostic validity of NSE in BALF and serum in lung cancer.


METHODS
In this prospective case-control study, NSE levels in BALF (B-NSE) and serum (S-NSE) of 3 groups of subjects were analyzed: control subjects (group 1, n = 15), patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; group 2, n = 15), and lung cancer (group 3, n = 35).


RESULTS
The differences in S-NSE and B-NSE levels between the groups were not significant (P > 0.05). S-NSE and B-NSE levels did not show any difference between smokers and nonsmokers, small cell lung cancer and nonsmall cell lung cancer patients, and stage I-II and stage III-IV patients in group 3 (P > 0.05). B-NSE or B-NSE/urea did not show any significance in comparison with S-NSE in the diagnosis and/or staging of malignancy (P > 0.05). S-NSE and B-NSE were well correlated with each other (r = 0.84, P = 0.000). The sensitivity of the S-NSE was 60% and the specificity was 40%.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors conclude that, although elevation of B-NSE is a well-known parameter in small cell lung cancer, it can also be elevated considerably in nonsmall cell lung cancer and COPD. Because of the significant correlation between S-NSE and B-NSE, it may be sufficient to measure S-NSE activity because it is easier and less invasive. However, NSE has no role in the exact diagnosis of lung cancer; it can only be investigated in a scientific setting.
Karnak
Demet
D
Department of Chest Diseases, Ankara University School of Medicine, Turkey. karnak@medicine.ankara.edu.tr
Beder
Sumru
S
Kayacan
Oya
O
Ibiş
Erkan
E
Oflaz
Gül
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006469:Hemoptysis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase