Role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide and cyclic gaunosine monophosphate in lung cancer

ABSTRACT

Cytokines and lipid peroxidation can participate in the complicated process of carcinogenesis and tumor progression. In the present study, the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha], lipid peroxides [LPO], nitric oxide [NO] and cyclic guanosine monophosphate [cGMP] were measured in 32 patients with lung cancer and in 30 healthy control subjects. The levels of TNF-alpha and cGMP were measured using ELISA and the levels of LPO and NO were measured using colorimetric methods. The levels of TNF-alpha, LPO, NO and cGMP were significantly higher in lung cancer patients than in the control group. In patients with lung cancer, a significant positive correlation was found between LPO and each of TNF-alpha and NO. According to the clinical stage and histological type, the serum levels of TNF-alpha, LPO and NO were significantly elevated in the advanced stage and non small cell lung cancer compared with the limited lung cancer. The serum levels of cGMP were higher in advanced than limited lung cancer. A significant positive correlation between NO and cGMP was found in patients with advanced lung cancer. In conclusion, the elevation of serum levels of TNF-alpha, LPO and NO in patient with lung cancer may have a prognostic value, being associated with a worse prognosis. The NO/cGMP system may play an important role in the advanced lung cancer