Concurrent decline of several antioxidants and markers of oxidative stress during combination chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the oxidant effects of adriamycin-containing chemotherapy (CT), we evaluated various antioxidants, total antioxidant capacity (TRAP) and different parameters of oxidative and nitrosative stress during combination CT. DESIGN AND METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from 16 small cell lung cancer patients at baseline and several times during the first, second and sixth CT cycles.
RESULTS: There were significant decreases in serum urate and serum proteins during all cycles, serum TRAP during the first two cycles, plasma ascorbic acid and serum TBARS during the first cycle, and serum conjugated dienes and plasma alphatocopherol during the last cycle. The baseline levels of tocopherols increased significantly between the first and sixth CT cycles. Higher levels of baseline plasma thiols were associated with better overall survival (p=0.008).
CONCLUSIONS: Adriamycin-containing CT causes significant oxidative stress as implied by reduced levels of protective antioxidants. Long-term CT treatment seems to enhance lipid peroxidation.