title: Evaluation of reactive oxygen metabolites in patients with non-small cell lung cancer after chemotherapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs) after chemotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its association with response to treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-eight untreated NSCLC patients and twenty-three healthy subjects were selected for the study. Patients received two courses of platinum-based chemotherapy and were evaluated for oxidative stress and treatment response. As a marker of reactive oxygen species, ROMs levels were measured using the d-ROMs test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ROMs level (mean ± standard deviation) before chemotherapy in NSCLC patients (416 ± 135 U.CARR) was significantly elevated (p = 0.016) compared to normal healthy subjects (320 ± 59 U.CARR). Patients who responded to chemotherapy showed significantly decreased (p = 0.014) ROMs levels after chemotherapy, whereas patients who had stable disease or progressive disease showed no change in ROMs level (p = 0.387).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NSCLC patients had significantly elevated ROMs levels before chemotherapy compared with normal healthy subjects. Chemotherapy may suppress ROMs production in responders but not in non-responders. ROMs level may be a predictor of clinical outcome in patients receiving chemotherapy for NSCLC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Toho University Sakura Medical Center, 564-1 Shimoshizu, Sakura-shi, Chiba 285, Japan.
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wakabayashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Toho University Sakura Medical Center, 564-1 Shimoshizu, Sakura-shi, Chiba 285, Japan.
authors.forename: Tatsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kawashima
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Toho University Sakura Medical Center, 564-1 Shimoshizu, Sakura-shi, Chiba 285, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Matsuzawa
keywords: Chemotherapy; Lung cancer; Oxidative stress; Reactive oxygen metabolites; Reactive oxygen species