Abstract
BackgroundChronic airway inflammation and hypersensitivity to bacterial infection may contribute to lung cancer pathogenesis. Previous studies have demonstrated that nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is the most common colonizing bacteria in the lower airways of patients with COPD. The objective of this study was to determine the presence of NTHi and immunoglobulin concentrations in patients with lung cancer, COPD and controls.MethodsSerum and bronchial wash samples were collected from patients undergoing diagnostic bronchoscopy. Total IgE, IgG and specific NTHi IgG were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Bronchial wash samples were examined for the presence of NTHi via PCR.ResultsOut of the 60 patients: 20 had confirmed Lung Cancer, 27 had COPD only and 13 were used as Controls. NTHi was detected in the lower airways of all three groups (Lung Cancer 20%; COPD 22% and Controls 15%). Total IgE was highest in Lung Cancer subjects followed by COPD and control subjects (mean ± SD: 870 ± 944, 381 ± 442, 159 ± 115). Likewise total IgG was higher in Lung cancer (Mean ± SD: 6.99 ± 1.8) patients compared to COPD (Mean ± SD: 5.43 ± 2).ConclusionsThe lack of difference in NTHi and specific antibodies between the three groups makes it less likely that NTHi has an important pathogenetic role in subjects with Lung Cancer. However the detection of higher IgE antibody in Lung Cancer subjects identifies a possible mechanism for carcinogenesis in these subjects and warrants further study.
Highlights
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related mortality, accounting for over one million deaths worldwide annually [1]
Lung function measurements demonstrated that the FEV1 was significantly different between the three groups of patients
In this study, we prospectively investigated the lower airways for nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) bacteria in lung cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and control patient groups
Summary
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related mortality, accounting for over one million deaths worldwide annually [1]. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, with an estimated prevalence of 4–10% [2]. COPD is characterised by chronic inflammation of the lower airways and similar to 90% of lung cancer cases is caused by cigarette smoking [2]. Some animal models have suggested that nontypeable (i.e. uncapsulated) Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) may play a causal role for a COPD-like airway inflammation and in lung cancer promotion [5, 6]. Previous studies have demonstrated that nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is the most common colonizing bacteria in the lower airways of patients with COPD. The objective of this study was to determine the presence of NTHi and immunoglobulin concentrations in patients with lung cancer, COPD and controls
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