Impact of chemotherapy on symptom profile, oxidant-antioxidant balance and nutritional status in non-small cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is associated with an oxidant-antioxidant imbalance that is implicated in tumor progression. However, the association of this imbalance on disease burden and treatment response is unclear. The effect of chemotherapy on oxidative stress, antioxidant status, and nutritional profile in patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was prospectively evaluated. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients with confirmed cytological/histological diagnosis of NSCLC were recruited. Performance status was determined using the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group grading and the Karnofsky Performance Scale. Skin fold anthropometry was done for nutritional assessment. All patients received chemotherapy with intravenous carboplatin and paclitaxel at three-weekly intervals. Response was assessed after four cycles by repeat imaging. Plasma levels of total antioxidant status (TAS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels were estimated using commercially available kits, and the change was correlated with clinical outcome, response to chemotherapy, performance status, and nutritional profile. RESULTS: Thirty-five cases were studied (92% males), with a mean (SD) age of 56.2 (9.3) years. Following treatment, majority of patients demonstrated stable disease (n = 15 [42%]), followed by partial response (29%), progressive disease (22%), and complete remission (6%). Significant improvement occurred in respiratory symptoms. Body fat declined while subscapular skinfold thickness and 6-min walk distance increased. Spirometric values and performance status remained unchanged. GPx levels declined significantly while no notable change was observed in MDA and TAS levels. CONCLUSIONS: Chemotherapy for NSCLC improves symptoms, nutritional status, and exercise capacity but worsens the antioxidant status.