Effects of chemoradiotherapy on acute-phase protein levels in glioblastoma multiforme and locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Objective: Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is a commonly used therapeutic modality. We investigated CRT effects on acute phase reactants (APRs). The aim of this study was to assess possible changes in APR levels during radiotherapy and to determine the usefulness of APRs as prognostic factors in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Methods: We prospectively evaluated 30 patients and 30 healthy controls. Plasma levels of APRs were measured. Post-CRT and pre-CRT levels were compared. Survival of patients were also followed up for a period of 3 years. Results: In NSCLC patients, post-CRT albumin, transferrin (Trf), and ceruloplasmin (Cp) levels were significantly lower, and post-CRT ferritin (FER) levels were significantly higher, than their pre-CRT levels. In GBM patients, post-CRT Trf and prealbumin (Prealb) levels were significantly higher than pre-CRT levels. Pre-CRT C-reactive protein (CRP) and FER levels in NSCLC patients and Cp levels in GBM patients were associated with patient survival. Conclusion: This study suggests that APRs may be useful for monitoring response to treatment during CRT in NSCLC and GBM patients. Bearing in mind their accessibility and clinical value, plasma CRP and FER in NSCLC patients and Cp in GBM patients can be considered candidate prognostic factors.