The mortality of lung cancer remains high and methods for early diagnosis are still lacking. Recently, exhaled breath condensate (EBC) has been considered a potential tool for obtaining biological information leading to a reliable diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

This study assessed the potentials of exhaled and serum concentrations of soluble(s) forms of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM1), and E-selectin as biomarkers for diagnosis and predicting metastasis in NSCLC patients.

We enrolled 33 patients with NSCLC, 35 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 30 healthy controls. EBC and serum samples from subjects were collected at the time of diagnosis and, where applicable, 3 months after surgical treatment. Measurements of sICAM1, sVCAM1, and sE-selectin were determined by enzyme immunoassay.

Concentrations of sICAM1, sVCAM1, and sE-selectin in the EBC and sera of NSCLC patients were significantly elevated compared to COPD patients and healthy controls. The exhaled and serum levels of sICAM1 and sVCAM1, but not sE-selectin, decreased significantly after tumor resection from pre-surgery levels. In addition, analyzed results showed a correlation between exhaled sICAM1 levels and disease progression of NSCLC patients.

Our results suggest that the levels of sICAM1, sVCAM1, and sE-selectin in EBC and sera of NSCLC patients are higher than those of COPD patients or healthy controls. Moreover, exhaled sICAM1 may have prognostic value and potential as a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with lung cancer.