A novel combined score of biomarkers in sputum may be an indicator for lung cancer: A pilot study

Lung cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and there is an urgent need for sensitive, specific, and reliable biomarkers. The study population included 60 patients (31 with lung cancer and 29 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]) and thirty healthy individuals comprised the control group. Measurements of neutrophil, beclin-1, VEGF, ICAM, VCAM, and TNF-alpha levels in induced sputum were analyzed as possible...