Predictive and Prognostic Significance of Neuron-specific Enolase (NSE) in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

• Published in: Anticancer research Vol. 28; no. 1B; pp. 507 - 513
• Main Authors: TISEO, Marcello, ARDIZZONI, Andrea, ARGENIDE CAFFERATA, Mara, LOPREVITE, Maura, CHIARAMONDIA, Maurizio, FILIBERTI, Rosangela, MARRONI, Paola, GROSSI, Francesco, PAGANUZZI, Michela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Attiki International Institute of Anticancer Research 01.01.2008
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - enzymology; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Lung Neoplasms - enzymology; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase - biosynthesis; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase - blood; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase - metabolism; Pneumology; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Prospective Studies; Tumors; Tumors of the respiratory system and mediastinum; Lung disease; NSE; Prognosis; neuron-specific enolase; prognostic factor; Respiratory disease; Lung cancer; Vitronectin; Malignant tumor; non-small cell lung carcinoma; Cancerology; Non-small cell lung cancer; Bronchus disease; Predictive factor; Cancer
• ISSN: 0250-7005; 1791-7530

Background: The predictive and prognostic role of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still under debate. Patients and 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 ≥8.6 ng/ml (p=0.05). Logistic analysis confirmed the positive association between objective response and NSE values ≥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. Conclusion: 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.