Cisplatin combination chemotherapy induces oxidative stress in advance non small cell lung cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: This study determine oxidative stress and survival prospectively in advanced stage non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients following cisplatin based combination chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The oxidative stress levels (LPO, NO, GSH and SOD) of 144 control subjects and 203 advanced stage (IIIA/IIIB/IV) newly diagnosed NSCLC patients were assessed at pre-treatment (day '0'), and after the 3rd and 6th cycles of chemotherapy. Groups were compared by repeated measures ANOVA while comparison of survival curves was conduced by Kaplan-Meier methods. RESULTS: The pre-treatment mean levels of LPO and NO in patients were significantly (P<0.01) higher while GSH and SOD were significantly (P<0.01) lower as compared to control. The oxidative stress was elevated more significantly (P<0.01) after the chemotherapy and was more evident in higher stage than lower stage patients. The two year overall survival (%) of stage IV patients was significantly lower (P<0.05) as compared to stage III A and III B. The proportional mortality was also maximal in stage IV patients (37.0%) followed by stage III B (31.7%) and III A (20.0%). CONCLUSION: Cisplatin based combination chemotherapy induces oxidative stress in NSCLC patients.