Objective: The objective of present study was to assess the practical utility ofpleural fluid CAXII quantification. Materials and Methods: CAXII was quantified inpleural fluid samples by ELISA. Fluid was collected prospectively from fifty patientspresenting with lymphocytic pleural effusions for investigation. Results: Pleural fluidCAXII concentrations were significantly higher in lung cancer patients (n=30) than intuberculous controls (n=20). The sensitivity and specificity of this biomarker test were60%and75%, respectively. CAXII measurement was not inferior to cytologicalexamination in the diagnosis and exclusion of pleural effusions from lung cancerpatitents.(sensitivity60%vs.57%; specificity75%vs.100%; positive predictivevalue77%; negative predictive value54%). In patients with negative cytology, itoffered a sensitivity of54%. Conclusions: Pleural fluid CAXII was elevated inpleural effusions from lung cancer patients. Measurement of CAXII may be used inthe future as a valuable adjunct to cytology in the diagnostic assessment of patientswith pleural effusions related to lung cancer, especially when cytological examinationwas inconclusive. |