P53 auto-antibodies in non-small cell lung cancer patients can predict increased life expectancy after radiotherapy.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In this study we investigated whether the presence of p53 antibodies in sera before of during/after radiation therapy can predict increased survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. PATIENTS AND MATERIALS Sera from 67 patients with a histopathologically confirmed diagnosis of nonsmall cell lung cancer have been investigated using sandwich ELISA (Dianova, Hamburg, Germany). Sera was collected before or during/after radiation therapy. RESULTS: Antibodies were detected in 18 (27%) patients. 46/67 (69%) of the sera had been taken before start of radiation therapy and the presence of p53 antibodies was a statistically significantly good prognostic factor in terms of increased survival (p = 0.025). CONCLUSION: p53 antibodies in sera, before the start of radiation therapy, can predict increased survival after radiation treatment in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.