Serum type I collagen degradation markers, ICTP and CrossLaps, are factors for poor survival in lung cancer.

We investigated the prognostic value of the serum markers of type I collagen synthesis (PINP and PICP) and degradation (ICTP and CrossLaps) in 143 lung cancer patients with a local or locally advanced disease or a metastatic disease. The mean values of ICTP, CrossLaps, PINP and PICP were significantly higher in patients with bone metastases than in those without metastases or with only soft tissue metastases. The patients with ICTP < or = 5.0 micrograms/l or CrossLaps < or = 5000 pmol/l had a better prognosis. The histopathological type, the site of metastases or the stage of the disease had no influence on these results. In multivariate regression analysis, both ICTP and CrossLaps in contrast to PINP or PICP, were prognostic factors for poor survival in lung cancer patients. ICTP, CrossLaps, sedimentation rate, hemoglobin and AFOS reached separately weaker, but statistically significant values as predictors of survival with stage and operation.