Leptin Levels in Lymph Node Aspiration Biopsy is a Predictor of Smoking Tendencies: A Pilot Study
Abstract Background: Cytokine profiles have traditionally been explored in serum due to its ease of accessibility and the diagnostic and assessment capabilities in a clinic setting. Utilization of additional cytokine depots, such as hilar lymph nodes, has not thoroughly been explored. In this study, we examined the cytokine profile of mediastinal and hilar lymph node fine needle aspirates to identify markers capable of differentiating high-risk smokers (>30 pack-years) from low-risk smokers (<30 pack-years), independent of current cancer diagnosis. Methods: We used the cytokine profiles of 27 patients from a pro-spective convenience pilot study conducted at the University of New Mexico. Logistic regression analysis was employed.Results: A significant difference in mean cytokine values for Leptin was discovered between patients categorized as low-risk and high-risk pack year smokers (p=0.034). Additionally, mean cytokine values of Leptin did not differ between patients by cancer diagnosis (malignant vs. benign). Our analysis demonstrated Leptin as a fair marker for discriminating between high-risk smokers and low-risk smokers (AUC 0.73). Conclusions: We conclude Leptin is an optimal cytokine to discriminate between high-risk and low-risk smokers. To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess the ability of Leptin to serve as such an indicator via hilar lymph nodes.