[Role of the cut-off value of serum neuron-specific enolase in differentiating small cell lung cancer from non-small cell lung cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the cut-off value of serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) level for distinguishing small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).


METHODS
Serum NSE levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 137 patients with NSCLC or SCLC, and the best cut-off value was analyzed using ROC curve.


RESULTS
The positivity rate of serum NSE was significantly higher in patients with SCLC than in those with NSCLC (P<0.01). The best cut-off value was 15.45 microg/L using ROC curve, which gave a sensitivity of 66.7% and specificity of 65.7%.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum NSE level may allow simple and cost-effective differentiation of SCLC and NSCLC.
Wei
Tao
T
Center of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. weitaochina@163.com
Luo
Rong-cheng
RC
Zuo
Qiang
Q
Zhang
Jun-yi
JY
Miao
Jing-xia
JX
Lu
Hui-fang
HF
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000097:blood*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase