Evaluation of reactive oxygen metabolites in patients with non-small cell lung cancer after chemotherapy

Toru Wakabayashi; Tatsuo Kawashima; Yasuo Matsuzawa

doi:10.4081/mrm.2014.379

Evaluation of reactive oxygen metabolites in patients with non-small cell lung cancer after chemotherapy

Authors

Toru Wakabayashi Department of Internal Medicine, Toho University Sakura Medical Center, Chiba
Tatsuo Kawashima Department of Internal Medicine, Toho University Sakura Medical Center, Chiba
Yasuo Matsuzawa Department of Internal Medicine, Toho University Sakura Medical Center, Chiba

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/mrm.2014.379

Keywords:

Chemotherapy, Lung cancer, Oxidative stress, Reactive oxygen metabolites, Reactive oxygen species

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.