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Comparative Analysis of Biochemical and Lipid Profile Markers at Different Stages of Lung Cancer: A Cross-Sectional
Rajyalakshmi Gogineni1, Suresh Arumugam2, Natrajan Muninathan1
1Biochemistry, Meenakshi Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, Kanchipuram, IND.
Background:
Systemic inflammation, metabolic dysregulation, and changes in biochemical markers are closely associated with the progression of lung cancer. This study focuses on evaluating serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), C-reactive protein (CRP), lipid profile parameters, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in relation to the stages of lung cancer, exploring their potential as biomarkers for assessing disease severity.
Methods:
A total of 160 lung cancer patients were selected for a cross-sectional study and equally distributed into four clinical stages (Stages 1-4). PTH, CRP, low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), triacylglycerides (TAGs), and IL-6 were analyzed in serum by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, chemiluminescent immunoassay, and enzymatic techniques. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance with post hoc Tukey's test and Pearson correlation analysis for body mass index (BMI) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status.
Results:
PTH levels increased significantly as the disease progressed (Stage 1: 10.8 ± 2.5 pg/mL; Stage 4: 498 ± 89.4 pg/mL; p < 0.001). Similarly, CRP (Stage 1: 5.8 ± 1.2 mg/L; Stage 4: 8.6 ± 2.4 mg/L; p = 0.004) and IL-6 (Stage 1: 3.8 ± 0.9 pg/mL; Stage 4: 8.5 ± 2.1 pg/mL; p < 0.001) levels showed significant increases, indicating elevated systemic inflammation in the advanced stages. Lipid profile analysis revealed a decrease in HDL levels (p = 0.042) and an increase in TAG levels (p = 0.031), while LDL levels did not show statistically significant variations (p = 0.085). The ECOG performance status significantly deteriorated with advancing stages (p = 0.001) and was strongly correlated with BMI (r = 0.915; p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
Lung cancer progression is strongly linked to elevated levels of PTH, CRP, and IL-6, alongside dysregulated lipid profiles. The interplay of systemic inflammation and metabolic alterations underscores key pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the disease. Emerging evidence suggests that PTH and IL-6 hold promise as potential biomarkers for assessing disease severity and progression.
