[Pre-treatment and treatment-induced neuron-specific enolase in patients with small-cell lung cancer: an open prospective study].
BACKGROUND
Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is the most sensitive tumor marker for small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) at the time of diagnosis. The main purpose of this study was to review the usefulness of serum NSE level as a prognostic factor in patients with SCLC and to determine the correlation between the NSE level and the stage of disease and response to chemotherapy.


METHODS
In this prospective study, patients with SCLC were evaluated for response to chemotherapy, survival without disease progression, and overall survival. The end point was designated at patient death due to SCLC. NSE assays were performed before and after completion of chemotherapy.


RESULTS
Sixty-five patients were included in study. NSE levels were significantly higher in patients who died of SCLC. The pre-treatment NSE levels in patients who responded to treatment were significantly lower. The post-treatment NSE levels were not significantly correlated with response to chemotherapy, progression-free survival, overall survival, and prognosis of patients. Change in the NSE level between the pre- and post-treatment periods was not significantly correlated with response to treatment, progression-free survival, and overall survival.


CONCLUSIONS
NSE levels might not be related with the stage of the disease. However, a low pre-treatment NSE level might be used in predicting good response to chemotherapy in patients with SCLC. The post-treatment serum NSE levels and the rate of change between pre- and post-treatment serum levels of NSE were not related with response to chemotherapy, progression-free survival, and overall survival.
Department of Thoracic Diseases, Izmir Dr Suat Seren Thoracic Diseases and Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turquía. drerbaycu@yahoo.com
Ahmet
A
Emin Erbaycu
Ayriz
A
Gunduz
Ozgur
O
Batum
Zeynep
Z
Zeren Ucar
Fevziye
F
Tuksavul
Salih
S
Zeki Guclu
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016371:Cranial Irradiation; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012074:Remission Induction; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D047368:Tumor Burden
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D005047:Etoposide; D016190:Carboplatin; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase; D002945:Cisplatin