Increased collagenase activity in macrophages from bronchial lavage as a diagnostic marker of non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The roles of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in cancer metastasis have been studied. Macrophages are considered to release MMPs in the tissues of patients with lung cancer.

METHODS:

Intracellular collagenase activity was measured in CD14+ CD45+ cells from bronchial lavage fluid to establish a new diagnostic tool for lung cancer. Between August 2000 and November 2001 bronchoscopy and bronchial lavage were performed in 45 patients with abnormal shadows on the chest radiograph; 21 had lung cancer and 24 had non-malignant disease.

RESULTS:

Collagenase activity in patients with primary lung cancer (5.54 (0.65)) or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (5.62 (0.71)) was significantly higher than in those with non-malignant disease (3.63 (0.78), p=0.006 and p=0.008, respectively). Only three of 18 patients in the low activity group were diagnosed as having cancer compared with 18 of 27 in the high activity group (p=0.001). This significance was not seen in non-smokers but it was apparent in smokers/ex-smokers. Excluding non-smokers improved the specificity of collagenase activity in differentiating cancer and non-malignant disease from 62.5% to 80.0%. The sensitivity of the test was 85.7% in all patients and 88.2% in smokers/ex-smokers.

CONCLUSIONS:

Measurement of intracellular collagenase activity in macrophages in bronchial lavage fluid is a useful diagnostic tool for distinguishing between cancer and non-malignant diseases, especially in smokers and ex-smokers.

• Authors: Y Hakoda, Y Ito, A Nagate, K Minemura, K Utsumi, M Aoshima, K Ohyashiki
• Journal: Thorax (Thorax) Vol. 58 Issue 2 Pg. 122-6 (Feb 2003) ISSN: 0040-6376 [Print] England
• PMID: 12554893 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• C-Reactive Protein
• Collagenases
• Matrix Metalloproteinases

Topics

• Adult
• Age Factors
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Biomarkers, Tumor (metabolism)
• Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid (cytology)
• C-Reactive Protein (metabolism)
• Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung (diagnosis)
• Collagenases (metabolism)
• Female
• Humans
• Lung Neoplasms (diagnosis)
• Macrophages (enzymology)
• Male
• Matrix Metalloproteinases (metabolism)
• Middle Aged
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Sex Factors
• Smoking (metabolism)