Carcinoma of the Lung and Cigarette Smoking
Effect on Serum Ribonuclease Activity
- Dalia Maor, MSc, PhD;
- Michael E. Klein, MD;
- Daniel E. Kenady, MD;
- Paul B. Chretien, MD;
- Michael R. Mardiney Jr, MD
Abstract
Serum ribonuclease levels were determined in 54 patients with lung carcinoma, 74 long-term cigarette smokers, and 172 nonsmokers. The mean serum ribonuclease level was significantly higher in patients with lung carcinoma and long-term smokers compared with healthy nonsmokers (P<.001). The serum ribonuclease activity level was not related to chronological age, sex, or race of the smoker or nonsmoker population. Forty (75%) of 53 patients with lung cancer and 49 (66%) of 74 smokers had elevated serum ribonuclease levels compared with 13 (7%) of 179 nonsmoker healthy controls (P<.001). The highest incidence of elevation was noted in patients with epidermoid carcinoma (95%).
(JAMA 239:2766-2768, 1978)
Footnotes
-
Reprint requests to Howard County Doctor's Bldg, 9380 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21043 (Dr Mardiney).
