title: Predictive value of D-dimer plasma levels in response and progressive disease in patients with lung cancer.
abstract: Patients with cancer may present with one or more circulatory markers of haemostatic activation which may be associated with tumor growth and cancer cell dissemination. In our clinical practice we observed haemostatic abnormalities with or without thrombotic episodes in cancer patients. The aim of the present study was to detect the D-dimer plasma levels in advanced-stage lung cancer patients before, during and after chemotherapy, and to determine whether there is a correlation with response rate, disease recurrence and survival, in order to estimate the possible predictive value of D-dimer plasma levels. Forty-seven/52 patients were evaluable and analysed; 38 patients had non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 9 small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and all were at an advanced stage or inoperable. Two (4.3%) achieved complete response (CR), 17 (36.2%) partial response (PR), and 16 (34%) had progressive disease (PD). We found that 14/19 (73.7%) patients with CR or PR showed a reduction in D-dimer plasma values and 11/16 (68.8%) with PD showed increased values; also, in patients with recurrent disease (12/13, 92.3%), D-dimer plasma levels were increased. All of the above values were statistically significant. D-Dimer plasma levels decrease or increase after response and progressive disease, respectively, and can act as a predictive factor of the evolution of the disease.
authors.affiliation: 7th Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Sotiria Hospital of Chest Diseases, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimosthenis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Antoniou
authors.forename: Georgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pavlakou
authors.forename: George P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Stathopoulos
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Karydis
authors.forename: Evangelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chondrou
authors.forename: Chrysovalantis
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Papageorgiou
authors.forename: Fotini
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dariotaki
authors.forename: Dimitra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chaimala
authors.forename: Marinos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Veslemes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D001952:Bridged-Ring Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D018450:Disease Progression; D000077143:Docetaxel; D005260:Female; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D000077146:Irinotecan; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D001952:Bridged-Ring Compounds; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; D043823:Taxoids; C036309:fibrin fragment D; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000077143:Docetaxel; C080625:taxane; D014747:Vinblastine; D000077146:Irinotecan; D017239:Paclitaxel; D002166:Camptothecin; D000093542:Gemcitabine