OBJECTIVES

Reactive oxygen species, which are implicated in the process of carcinogenesis, are also responsible for cell death during chemotherapy (CHT). Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate exhaled HO levels in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients before and after CHT.

METHODS

Thirty patients (age 61.3 ± 9.3 years) with advanced NSCLC (stage IIIB-IV) and 15 age-matched healthy cigarette smokers were enrolled into the study. Patients received four cycles of cisplatin or carboplatin with vinorelbine every three weeks. Before and after the first, second, and fourth cycle, the concentration of HO in exhaled breath condensate was measured with respect to treatment response.

RESULTS

At the baseline, NSCLC patients exhaled 3.8 times more HO than the control group (0.49 ± 0.14 vs. 0.13 ± 0.03 µmol/L, P < 0.05); this difference persisted throughout the study. CHT had no noticeable effect on exhaled HO levels independent of the treatment response (partial remission vs. progressive disease). Pre- and post-CHT cycles of HO levels generally correlated positively.

DISCUSSION

The study demonstrated the occurrence of oxidative stress in the airways of advanced NSCLC patients. Exhaled HO level was not affected by CHT and independent of treatment results and changes in the number of circulating neutrophils.