title: Inflammatory cytokines and VEGF measured in exhaled breath condensate are correlated with tumor mass in non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: Inflammation mediated by the immune system is known to be important in carcinogenesis and, specifically, T helper 17 cells have been reported to play a role in tumor progression by promoting neo-angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether inflammatory cytokines and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and in serum were related to tumor size in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Il-6, IL-17, TNF-α and VEGF levels were measured in EBC and serum of 15 patients with stage I-IIA NSCLC and in 30 healthy controls by immunoassay. The tumor size was measured by a CT scan. The concentrations of IL-6, IL-17 and VEGF were significantly higher in EBC of patients with lung cancer, compared with controls, while only serum IL-6 concentration was higher in patients compared to controls. A significant correlation (r = 0.78, p = 0.001) was observed between EBC levels of IL-6 and IL-17; IL-17 was also correlated to EBC levels of the VEGF (r = 0.83, p < 0.001) and TNF-α (r = 0.62, p = 0.014). The tumor diameter was significantly correlated with EBC concentrations of VEGF (r = 0.58, p = 0.039), IL-6 (r = 0.67, p = 0.013) and IL-17 (r = 0.66, p = 0.017). Our results show a significant relationship between inflammatory and angiogenic markers, measured in EBC by a non-invasive method, and tumor mass.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Science, University of Turin, corso Bramante 88, I-10126 Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brussino
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Culla
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bucca
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Giobbe
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boita
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Isaia
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Heffler
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oliaro
authors.forename: Pierluigi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Filosso
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rolla
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001944:Breath Tests; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D045853:Exhalation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D057230:Limit of Detection; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D020381:Interleukin-17; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A