Carcinogenesis‑related changes in iron metabolism in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease subjects with lung cancer

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is often accompanied by lung cancer. In our previous work, it was observed that matrix metalloproteinase-3 and haptoglobin (HP) polymorphisms were potential markers of enhanced susceptibility to lung cancer development among male COPD subjects. Here, results are reported on blood serum levels of several proteins involved in iron metabolism, inflammation and the oxidative stress response compared between the same groups of subjects. The blood serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), transferrin, hepcidin, ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor and 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine were compared, as well as total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) and ceruloplasmin ferroxidase activity in two groups of subjects: Male COPD patients (54 subjects) and male COPD patients diagnosed with lung cancer (53 subjects). Statistically significant differences were identified between the two groups in transferrin and TNFα levels, as well as in TIBC; all three parameters were lower in the group consisting of COPD patients diagnosed with lung cancer (P<0.01). It was also revealed that HP genotype 1/2 was concomitant with low transferrin blood level in subjects with COPD; this apparent dependence was absent in the COPD + cancer subjects. The results indicate a role of iron metabolism in the susceptibility to lung cancer in COPD-affected subjects. They also emphasize the importance of individual capacity for an effective response to oxidative stress during the pathogenic process as HP is a plasma protein that binds free hemoglobin and its polymorphism results in proteins with altered hemoglobin-binding capacity and different antioxidant and iron-recycling functions.

The hepcidin concentration decreases in hypothyroid patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis following restoration of euthyroidism

“…The majority of previous studies have reported positively correlated hepcidin and ferritin levels in children 38 , critical care unit patients 39 , and patients with respiratory disease 40 and vasculitis 41 . Our results studying both hypothyroid and healthy subjects are consistent with previous research.…”

Dysregulation of ferroptosis may involve in the development of non‐small‐cell lung cancer in Xuanwei area

“…31 HP polymorphism causes change in haemoglobin-bind capacity, antioxidant and iron-recycling activities, which may be important for effective oxidative stress response in lung cancer pathogenic process. 32 Specifically, in the present study, we supposed that HP and TXN2 may be involved in ferroptosis and contribute to lung cancer in Xuanwei area.…”

Assessment of iron status markers in patients with lung cancer

“…The transferrin functions to maintain cellular proliferation by providing iron for processes that have yet to be defined (Dowlati et al, 1997). A recent study demonstrated that the difference in transferrin level was significant, and its level was lower in the patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) diagnosed with lung cancer (Brzóska et al, 2018). Furthermore, the results obtained by Chen et al (2017) revealed a correlation between serum transferrin levels and tumor stage in male patients and between transferrin levels and menopausal status in female patients.…”