Serum neuron specific enolase (NSE) is a determinant of response duration in small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Seventy-two consecutive patients were eligible for a study of clinical determinants of response and response duration in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Pretreatment values of routine laboratory parameters, and three tumour markers: neuron specific enolase (NSE), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and acidic glycoprotein (AGP) were measured. Descriptive clinical variables as performance status (PS), extent of disease, age and sex were also included in the study. All variables were analysed for influence on the type and duration of response. The complete remission probability was only related to pretreatment extent of disease. In a multivariate analysis (Cox) of response duration, only NSE and type of response had significant influence. Consequently, measurements of NSE before therapy will be useful in future clinical trials on SCLC especially in situations, where responding patients are submitted to specific treatment strategies.