Clinical significance of the serum-soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in patients undergoing radical resection of lung cancer

To investigate the expressions and changes of serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) in lung cancer patients before and after operation and the roles of sICAM-1 in differential diagnosis, metastatic potential, and prognosis. Methods From 2002 to 2003, a total of 17 samples of lung carcinoma tissues and sera were studied. The other 11 non-cancer patients were employed as the controls. Cell surface sICAM-1 levels were analyzed by immunohistochemistry method and ELISA. Results The serum sICAM-1 concentration in the cancer patients was (432.0±124.4) ng/ml. In the controls, however, the serum concentration of sICAM-1 was (262.3±77.7) ng/ml. In patients with lung cancer, the serum concentration of sICAM-1 was significantly higher than that of the controls (P0.01). In addition, the difference in the serum concentrations was significant between the patients with Ⅰ-Ⅱ and Ⅲ-Ⅳ stages (P0.05). The serum concentration in group with positive ICAM-1 was higher than that in group with negative (P0.05). Futhermore, compared with the peropertive level, the concentration of sICAM-1 in the radical operation group was significantly increased at 3 d after operation, but decreased at 7 d, and decreased significantly at 2 weeks (P0.01). However, no significant difference was found in the explorative group before and after operation (P0.05). Conclusion The serum sICAM-1 concentrations in lung cancer patients may play an important role in staging and may also serve as a useful indicator of advanced disease.