Inflammatory cytokines and VEGF measured in exhaled breath condensate are correlated with tumor mass in non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Inflammation mediated by the immune system is known to be important in carcinogenesis and, specifically, T helper 17 cells have been reported to play a role in tumor progression by promoting neo-angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether inflammatory cytokines and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and in serum were related to tumor size in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Il-6, IL-17, TNF-α and VEGF levels were measured in EBC and serum of 15 patients with stage I-IIA NSCLC and in 30 healthy controls by immunoassay. The tumor size was measured by a CT scan. The concentrations of IL-6, IL-17 and VEGF were significantly higher in EBC of patients with lung cancer, compared with controls, while only serum IL-6 concentration was higher in patients compared to controls. A significant correlation (r = 0.78, p = 0.001) was observed between EBC levels of IL-6 and IL-17; IL-17 was also correlated to EBC levels of the VEGF (r = 0.83, p < 0.001) and TNF-α (r = 0.62, p = 0.014). The tumor diameter was significantly correlated with EBC concentrations of VEGF (r = 0.58, p = 0.039), IL-6 (r = 0.67, p = 0.013) and IL-17 (r = 0.66, p = 0.017). Our results show a significant relationship between inflammatory and angiogenic markers, measured in EBC by a non-invasive method, and tumor mass.

The inflammatory cytokine interleukin-23 is elevated in lung cancer, particularly small cell type

“…However, Brusino et al . [16] reported that serum IL-17 level was similar in lung cancer patients as in healthy volunteers, although its level was higher in exhaled breath condensate. In addition, Teng et al .…”

Detection of cancer embryo antigen and endothelin-1 in exhaled breath condensate: A novel approach to investigate non-small cell lung cancer

“…EBC collection techniques exhibit several advantages, including non-invasiveness, simplicity in their execution and high repeatability (5,6). The detection of tumour markers in EBC may be a novel approach to diagnose lung cancer in the early stages and in screens of high-risk groups (7)(8)(9)(10). In the present study, cancer embryo antigen (CEA) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were detected in the EBC of 133 patients with NSCLC.…”

The Role of Interleukin-17 in Lung Cancer

“…Many studies have suggested that the mechanism by which IL-17 promotes angiogenesis or lymphangiogenesis is related to VEGF and its receptor family. Brussino et al [35] showed that IL-17 expression in exhaled breath condensate from patients with NSCLC was correlated with VEGF-A expression. Lin et al [36] confirmed that in lung cancer patients, serum IL-17 was positively correlated with VEGF-A expression.…”