Evaluation of serum KL-6 as a predictive marker of radiation pneumonitis in patients with breast-conservation therapy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Although radiation pneumonitis in radiotherapy following breast-conservation surgery is rare, it may lead to severe pneumonitis as well as to other types of pulmonary dysfunction. This study examined the usefulness of the serum KL-6 level as a new marker for the early detection of radiation pneumonitis.

METHODS:

Twenty-nine consenting patients served as subjects (age range, 32-78 years; mean age, 51 years) between 2001 and 2002. A total tangential irradiation dose of 50 Gy/25 fractions (fr) was administered for 5 weeks, using a 4-MV X-ray, and an additional 10 Gy/5 fr for 1 week of 6-MeV electron-beam irradiation was performed for patients with pathological tumor cell findings in the excised tumor margins. Levels of serum KL-6 were measured before and after radiotherapy.

RESULTS:

Four patients developed radiation pneumonitis, all of whom had elevated post-therapy KL-6 levels. Patients with lower or unchanged KL-6 levels did not develop radiation pneumonitis. There was a significant difference in serum KL-6 levels between patients with and without radiation pneumonitis (P = 0.0421). KL-6 levels remained below the threshold value of 465 U/ml in all patients.

CONCLUSION:

For the early detection of radiation pneumonitis following breast-conservation surgery, and to assess the efficacy of therapy, the monitoring and measuring of changes in KL-6 levels before and after radiotherapy is more important than comparing KL-6 levels against the threshold value. Measuring KL-6 serum levels is also useful in assessing the efficacy of therapy for radiation pneumonitis.

• Authors: Ryoji Tokiya, Junichi Hiratsuka, Kenji Yoshida, Shigeki Imai, Yasumasa Kajihara, Yoshinari Imajo
• Journal: International journal of clinical oncology (Int J Clin Oncol) Vol. 9 Issue 6 Pg. 498-502 (Dec 2004) ISSN: 1341-9625 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 15616881 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antigens
• Antigens, Neoplasm
• Biomarkers
• Glycoproteins
• MUC1 protein, human
• Mucin-1
• Mucins

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Antigens (analysis)
• Antigens, Neoplasm
• Biomarkers (analysis)
• Breast Neoplasms (radiotherapy, surgery)
• Female
• Glycoproteins (analysis)
• Humans
• Mastectomy, Segmental
• Middle Aged
• Mucin-1
• Mucins
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Radiation Pneumonitis (etiology)
• Sensitivity and Specificity