Evaluation of Serum Cytokines in Small Cell Lung Cancer and Its Clinical Significance

Background and objective It has been proven that serum cytokines could be changed in the early stage of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The current research investigates the different changes of cytockines and searches for potential biomarkers to improve the situation of the early diagnosis of SCLC. Methods The differential expression cytokines were detected using Reybiotech G6/G7 analysis of microarrays in the serum of 4 SCLC patients, 4 normal controls, and 4 phlegmonosis controls. The differential cytokines were confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbentassay (ELISA) in 197 SCLC patients, 180 normal controls, and 97 phlegmonosis controls. Results The levels of the 4 most valuable biomarkers in SCLC, including Leptin, MSP-α, uPAR, and MIP-1β, were significantly higher than that in the other groups with microaaray screening (P<0.05). The ELISA results showed that the uPAR are much higher in SCLC patients than that in the controls, in which the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 52.93% and 83.36%, respectively. The Leptin level was significantly higher in SCLC patients who do not have obvious body weight lost, whereas no difference were found in the SCLC who have obvious body weight lost compared with control groups. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of Leptin are 50.11% and 86.77%. The MSP-α and MIP-1β level have no significant difference among the three groups. Conclusion The uPAR elevated level is significant in indicating SCLC diagnoses. The Leptin may be associated with SCLC in patients who do not have a change in weight.