P53 AUTOANTIBODIES IN NONSMALL CELL LUNG-CANCER PATIENTS CAN PREDICT INCREASED LIFE EXPECTANCY AFTER RADIOTHERAPY

Background: In this study we investigated whether the presence of p53 antibodies in sera before or during/after radiation therapy can predic t increased survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancel: Pati ents and Materials: Sera from 67 patients with a histopathologically c onfirmed diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer have been investigate d using sandwich ELISA (Dianova, Hamburg Germany). Sera was collected before or during/after radiation therapy. Results: Antibodies were det ected in 18 (27 %) patients. 46/67 (69 %) of the sera a had been taken before start of radiation therapy and the presence of p53 antibodies was a statistically significantly good prognostic factor in terms of i ncreased survival (p=0.025). Conclusion: p53 antibodies in sera, befor e the start of radiation therapy, can pi edict increased survival afte r radiation treatment in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.