Neutrophil elastase levels is higher in patients with lung cancer than chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Neutrophil elastase (NE) is a specific serine proteinase and it is a modulator of inflammation. Systemic and pulmonary inflammation has been associated with both non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Still, an exact role of NE in pathogenesis of NSCLC, COPD and in coexistence of both diseases is unknown. The aim of the study was to evaluate NE levels in NSCLC with and without COPD. Methods: Serum and BAL fluid (BALF) levels of NE were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 28 patients with NSCLC, 20 patients with moderate COPD, 25 patients with NSCLC and moderate COPD (NSCLC/COPD) and 10 healthy non-smoking individuals (HI). Periferial blood and BALF were collected from each patient before any treatment. Results: Serum NE levels were significantly higher in groups with NSCLC: NSCLC, NSCLC/COPD, compared to COPD or HI (620.6±77.5 ng/mL and 609.8±52.7 ng/mL vs 409.2±61.6 ng/mL and 243±23.9 ng/mL, p Conclusions: Our data suggest a higher levels of NE both in NSCLC and NSCLC/COPD than in COPD or HI.