Published online May 26, 2020. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v8.i10.1916
Peer-review started: February 10, 2020
First decision: March 27, 2020
Revised: April 18, 2020
Accepted: April 24, 2020
Article in press: April 24, 2020
Published online: May 26, 2020
Processing time: 105 Days and 0.7 Hours
The elevation of plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF) has been proposed to be a predictor of lung cancer. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) causes endothelial activation, resulting in the secretion of vWF. However, the role of vWF in patients with T2DM complicated with lung cancer remains unclear.
To investigate the clinical value of serum vWF as a tumor marker in patients with T2DM combined with lung adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS).
This study enrolled 43 patients with T2DM combined with lung AIS (T2DM + AIS group), 43 patients with T2DM alone (T2DM group), 43 patients with lung AIS alone (AIS group), and 43 healthy volunteers (control group). The serum levels of vWF, insulin-like growth factor 1, and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 were determined. Multiple linear stepwise regression was performed to determine the correlations among variables.
Serum concentration of vWF in the T2DM + AIS group was significantly higher than those in the T2DM, AIS, and control groups (P < 0.05). Serum vWF levels in the T2DM and AIS groups were significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in serum vWF level between the T2DM and AIS groups. In the T2DM + AIS group, serum vWF was independently associated and positively correlated with serum levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (P < 0.05).
Serum vWF level may represent a novel biomarker for the early diagnosis of lung AIS.
Core tip: Previous evidence has indicated an increased cancer risk among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, early diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) in T2DM patients is difficult, resulting in a lost opportunity for curative-intent surgery in almost 70%-80% of lung cancer patients. This study revealed that serum levels of von Willebrand factor in patients with T2DM combined with lung AIS were significantly higher than those in patients with T2DM, and thus, can be used to screen lung AIS in T2DM patients. Thus, monitoring serum von Willebrand factor might promote the early diagnosis of lung AIS in T2DM patients.