title: Predictive and prognostic significance of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The predictive and prognostic role of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still under debate.
  
  
  METHODS
  To study these aspects, serum NSE was prospectively measured at baseline of first-line chemotherapy treatment and tested for correlation with clinical outcome in 129 advanced NSCLC patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An objective response was achieved in 27 out of 65 (41.5%) patients with NSE < 8.6 ng/ml and in 38 out of 64 (59.4%) patients with NSE > or = 8.6 ng/ml (p = 0.05). Logistic analysis confirmed the positive association between objective response and NSE values > or = 8.6 ng/ml (odds ratio = 1.69; 95% confidence interval: 1.09-2.63; p = 0.02). Overall median survival was 10.8 months. A statistically significant prognostic effect on survival was found for performance status, stage and response to treatment, but not for baseline NSE value.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on these data, baseline circulating tumor NSE levels appear to have a weak predictive role, but not a prognostic significance in patients with advanced NSCLC submitted to standard chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Parma, Via Gramsci, 14, 43100 Parma, Italy. mtiseo@ao.pr.it
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tiseo
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ardizzoni
authors.forename: Mara Argenide
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cafferata
authors.forename: Maura
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loprevite
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chiaramondia
authors.forename: Rosangela
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Filiberti
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marroni
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Grossi
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paganuzzi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase