Prognostic significance of CYFRA 21-1 in non-small cell lung cancer

Between July 1991 and February 1993, CYFRA 21-1 levels of 149 newly diagnosed patients with histologically proven non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at Osaka Prefectural Habikino Hospital were measured with an enzyme immunoassay method developed by Boeringer Mannheim (Enzymum-Test CYFRA 21-1). NSCLC patients with CYFRA 21-1 serum levels over 3.5 ng/ml had a significantly poorer prognosis than did patients with normal CYFRA 21-1 levels (P<0.001). Univariate analysis revealed that CYFRA 21-1 levels above 3.5 ng/ml, poor PS, advanced stage and serum LDH over 450U/l strongly correlated with survival period. In multivariate analysis, however, only CYFRA 21-1 was found to be an independent prognostic factor compatible with Stage and PS (P=0.0040 for CYFRA 21-1, P<0.001 for PS, P=0.0052 for Stage).