Lactate dehydrogenase level in serum of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer before and after chemotherapy and its significance

Abstract

Objective To investigate lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level in serum of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) before and after chemotherapy and the relationship of it with efficacy of chemotherapy and disease progression. Methods 57 patients with advanced NSCLC received standard first-line chemotherapy and some patients received second-line chemotherapy. The lung CT imaging changes were observed before and after chemotherapy. The serum LDH level was monitored during chemotherapy. The changes of serum LDH level and its relationship with efficacy of chemotherapy and disease progression were analyzed. Results The serum LDH level in patients with NSCLC was significantly higher than that in the normal. After first-line chemotherapy, the remissive group showed decreased LDH level, and the progressive group showed increased LDH level. LDH level in tumor recurrence was significantly higher than that in remissive period. After second-line chemotherapy for the progressive patients, the remissive group also showed decreased LDH level, and the progressive group showed increased LDH level. Conclusions Serum LDH level may reflect chemotherapy efficacy of lung cancer,and can be used to monitor recurrence of lung cancer. Key words: Lung cancer; Chemotherapy; Lactate dehydrogenase