[Chemotherapy of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and changes in serum sAPO-1/Fas and nitric oxide (NO) levels].
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic efficacy, toxic side effects, and changes in serum level of sAPO-1/Fas and nitric oxide(NO) in NSCLC patients treated with VM-26, epirubicin (EPI) and cisplatin (VED regimen). METHODS: Forty-two cases of advanced NSCLC patients (squamous-cell carcinoma, 28; adenocarcinoma, 12; undifferentiated cancer, 2) were treated with 2 cycles of VED. Serum sAPO-1/Fas level was determined by ELISA method, and NO level by enzymatic method before and after treatment. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 47.6% (20/42). Serum sAPO-1/Fas level in patients with squamous-cell carcinoma who responded to treatment was significantly lower than that before treatment. The post-chemotherapy serum NO level was significantly higher than that before chemotherapy in responsive patients with squamous-cell cancer as well as in adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: Combination chemotherapy with VM-26, EPI and DDP can be useful in the treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC. Serum sAPO-1/Fas and NO levels could be used to monitor treatment effect.