Serum tumor marker CYFRA 21-1 in the diagnostics of NSCLC lung cancer

Cytokeratins are epithelial markers whose expression is not lost during mal ignant transformation. The level of soluble cytokeratin fragment 19 was mea sured with an enzyme immunoassay method developed by Boehringer Mannheim (E nzymum-test CYFRA 21-1) in the serum of 200 male and 50 female patients wit h NSCLC (Non Small Cell Lung Cancer) lung cancer (120 planocellulare and 80 adenocarcinoma in males; 22 planocellulare and 28 adenocarcinoma in female s). The comparative group comprised 50 young healthy males and 50 females w ithout any clinical proof for malignancy or any other lung disease. The aim of this investigation was to find out if any possible statistical d ifference exists in the serum level of CYFRA 21-1 between patients with lun g cancer and healthy controls, and also between different types of lung can cers. The mean value of serum CYFRA 21-2 in NSCLC (6.25 ng/ml) was significantly higher than in healthy controls (1.26 ng/ml) (p < 0.001). Sensitivity for C YFRA 21-1 (using 3.3 ng/ml, a cut-off value corresponding to a 98% specific ity for healthy controls) in NSCLC was 60.5%. Positive CYFRA 21-1 Levels we re significantly higher in patient with carcinoma planocellulare (66.2%) th an in adenocarcinoma (52.1%). CYFRA 21-1 levels were significantly differen t between squamous cell carcinoma (6.52 ng/ml) and adenocarcinoma (5.86 ng/ ml) (p < 0.05). Our results indicate that CYFRA 21-1 may be a useful tumor marker in NSCLC, especially in carcinoma planocellulare. CYFRA 21-1 may als o be useful in identification of the preoperative stages of diseases and th e postoperative monitoring of NSCLC.