Changes in glycocalyx-related biochemical parameters during lung resection in non-small cell carcinoma cases : A pilot study

Abstract

Objective: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common neoplasms with high mortality rates, and new studies are needed to understand its characteristics better. This study aimed to determine the changes in the glycocalyx structure related to surgery regarding histopathologic subtypes and to evaluate the correlation of these changes on the development of metastasis and mortality. Material and methods: Serum levels of hyaluronan, VEGF-A, FGF-10, BMP-2, and BMP-4 were measured before and after surgery in 42 patients with NSCLC. The alterations in serum levels of studied markers were evaluated as related to metastasis status and mortality in post-operative 18-24 months. Results: Our study included 15 adenocarcinoma and 27 squamous cell carcinoma cases. Pre- and post-operative values of serum hyaluronan, VEGF-A, FGF-10, and BMP-2 showed significant differences for the whole group (p=0.006, p=0.001, p=0.002, and p=0.004, respectively). Post-operative BMP-2 values also correlated with hyaluronan and VEGF-A values. Post-operative values of hyaluronan and VEGF-A values found incorrelation with metastasis and mortality, while BMP-2 with metastasis and FGF-10 with mortality. Serum values of hyaluronan, VEGF-A, FGF-10 and BMP-2 differed significantly in-between the pre- and post-operative measurements in adenocarcinoma cases (p=0.020, p=0.009, p=0.003, and p=0.011, respectively) , but not that of squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusion: Pre- and post-operative changes in serum hyaluronan, VEGF-A, FGF-10 and BMP-2 values may be associated with metastasis and/or mortality in NSCLC. These findings were also more prominent in adenocarcinoma cases, though further extended studies are needed for a better conclusion.