Abstract
We investigated alterations in the levels of the antioxidant paraoxonase-1 (PON1) and the lipoprotein profile (analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance) in patients with lung cancer (LC) or head and neck cancer (HNC), and the effects produced thereon by radiotherapy (RT). We included 33 patients with LC and 28 patients with HNC. Before irradiation, and one month after completion of RT, blood samples were obtained. The control group was composed of 50 healthy subjects. Patients had significantly lower serum PON1 activity and concentration before RT than the control group. PON1-related variables were good predictors of the presence of LC or HNC, with analytical sensitivities and specificities greater than 80%. Patients showed a significant increase in the number of particles of all subclasses of very-low-density lipoproteins (large, medium and small). However, these changes were not maintained when adjusted for age, sex, and other clinical and demographic variables. Irradiation was associated with a significant increase in PON1 concentration and, only in patients with HNC, with an increase in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentration. Our results suggest that determinations of the levels of PON1-related variables may constitute good biomarkers for the evaluation of these diseases. Studies with a larger number of patients are needed to fully confirm this hypothesis.
Highlights
Lung cancer (LC) and head and neck cancer (HNC) are among the most common malignant diseases in the world, and are the leading causes of cancer-related death in both men and women [1,2].Genetic susceptibility, lifestyle factors, and environmental agents are important contributors to the etiology of lung cancer (LC) or HNC
Irradiation was associated with a significant increase in PON1 concentration and a further decrease in the enzymatic activity
receiver operating characteristics (ROC) plots showed that PON1 concentration and ARE activity are excellent predictors of the presence of LC or HNC, with area under the curve (AUC) superior to 0.90 The analytical sensitivity and specificity of ARE and PON1 determinations were greater than 80% for both LC and HNC (Figure 1)
Summary
Lung cancer (LC) and head and neck cancer (HNC) are among the most common malignant diseases in the world, and are the leading causes of cancer-related death in both men and women [1,2]. Lifestyle factors, and environmental agents are important contributors to the etiology of LC or HNC. Both types of cancer share tobacco smoking as a carcinogen that strongly contributes to their etiology. One of the deleterious effects of smoking is an increase in oxidative stress. This derangement and consequent lipid peroxidation are involved in the oncogenesis process [3].
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