Plasma quantification of leptin and ubiquitin in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: Correlation with progression and nutritional status

Abstract

20618 Background: Tumour cachexia is a complex syndrome characterized by a progressive weight loss. Ubiquitin and leptin are important mediators of protein and lipid turnover in muscle and adipose tissue. The objective of this study was to investigate the usefulness of plasma measurements of leptin and ubiquitin as prognostic marker of cachexia in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Methods: The cohort consisted in 50 patients with advanced NSCLC that received first-line therapy with platinum combinations. Patients received a median of 6 chemotherapy cycles and none nutritional supplementations. Concentration levels of leptin and ubiquitin were determined in plasma by a sandwich quantitative ELISA in the baseline, before therapy. In parallel were analysed 70 age-matched controls. Results: Median age was 61, range [20–78], 74% males, 37% stage IIIB and 63% IV and 86% PS 0–1. The histological subtypes were: 34% squamous cell carcinoma, 34% adenocarcinoma, 26% undifferentiated. Median leptin and ubiquitin levels differ significantly between controls and patients: leptin 14.479 vs 3.735 pg/ml (p=0.035) and ubiquitin 0.0686 vs 0.0294 AUs (p=0.018). Median leptin levels were higher in women 15.334 vs 3.160 pg/ml (p=0.002). Leptin and ubiquitin levels increased with the number of chemotherapy cycles but were only significant for leptin (p=0.044). There were not differences in basal or sequential levels of leptin and ubiquitin if we divided the cohort in patients with or without anorexia. Splitting the cohort in two groups attending to median levels of leptin and ubiquitin TTP and OS curves were not significantly different. Leptin and ubiquitin levels are not correlated with other clinical or anthropometrical variables. Conclusions: Leptin and ubiquitin levels are significabtly different between controls and patients but there is not a correlation between patient’s clinical characteristics and plasma levels of these cachexia mediators. No significant financial relationships to disclose.