title: Lung cancer may increase serum procalcitonin level.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Serum procalcitonin (PCT) is a biomarker used routinely to diagnose infections. Some malignancies are usual false positives for PCT. However, its value and behavior in the setting of lung cancers are poorly known. The objective of this study was to assess PCT positivity in a lung cancer cases series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between November 2011 and September 2012, all cases of newly diagnosed lung cancer with a pre-antineoplastic PCT assay and no patent signs of infection were included in the study. All PCT levels were assessed by immunofluorescent assay in a single laboratory.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-nine patients were included (70.8% male; mean age 62; small-cell cancer 20.2%; stage IV cancer 60.7%). Overall, PCT was positive in 42%. A neuroendocrine component, having 2 or more metastatic sites, having a pleura or a liver metastasis, and being positive for CRP were all significantly associated with positive PCT in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, only the presence of a neuroendocrine component remained strongly associated with a positive PCT (AOR=7.24 [CI=95% 1.91-27.51]; P=0.004). Finally, baseline PCT levels <0.5 µg/l were found in 43% of NSCLC with a neuroendocrine component, vs. 9% of cancers with other histology (P=0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lung cancer may cause false positives for procalcitonin, particularly in cases of neuroendocrine cancers or in the presence of multiple metastases. These results should be taken into account for PCT-based decisional algorithms.
authors: Centre Leon Berard, LYON, France. Virginie.AVRILLON@lyon.unicancer.fr.
authors: Virginie
authors: V
authors: Avrillon
authors: Myriam
authors: M
authors: Locatelli-Sanchez
authors: Laure
authors: L
authors: Folliet
authors: Melodie
authors: M
authors: Carbonnaux
authors: Emilie
authors: E
authors: Perino
authors: Gaelle
authors: G
authors: Fossard
authors: Marine
authors: M
authors: Desseigne
authors: Nathalie
authors: N
authors: Freymond
authors: Laurence
authors: L
authors: Geriniere
authors: Emilie
authors: E
authors: Perrot
authors: Pierre-Jean
authors: PJ
authors: Souquet
authors: Sebastien
authors: S
authors: Couraud
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000097:blood* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D018278:Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / Q000097:blood; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000097:blood* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C000606589:CALCA protein, human; D011498:Protein Precursors; D002116:Calcitonin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide