Smoking and Circulating IgE in Bronchial Carcinoma

Abstract

The serum concentrations of total IgE were significantly raised in smokers compared to those who had never smoked @<0.005) among male patients with bronchial carcinoma, while no differences were found between smoking and non-smoking female bronchial carcinoma patients. The total IgE levels in male and female patients with nonmalignant pulmonary diseases were not correlated to smoking habits. No significant differences in the IgE levels were observed between smoking males subgrouped according to the WHO histological types of bronchial carcinoma. Males with carcinoma who had stopped smoking more than 10 years ago had significantly reduced IgE levels compared to male cancer patients continously smoking @ <0.01). These data, indicating that smoking is associated with elevated IgE levels in males with bronchial carcinoma, might suggest that smoking in certain, preferably male, individuals induces an impaired cellular immunity which is reflected by an enhanced IgE synthesis and a depressed resistance to carcinogens of tobacco smoke.

Non-typeable Haemophilus Influenzae detection in the lower airways of patients with lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

“…A possible association between allergy and cancer has been reported previously [17,18], but widely replicated results are lacking with some studies reporting a negative association [17,18], others showing a positive association [19,20] or no general association [21]. Studies that have specifically evaluated IgE in patients with lung cancer have found a positive association with not only lung cancer diagnosis [22] but also increased mortality in females [23]. A possible explanation for this phenomenon is thought to be that the lung is directly exposed to the noxious stimuli which can be both allergens and carcinogens.…”

Non-typeable Haemophilus Influenzae detection in the lower airways of patients with lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

“…A possible association between allergy and cancer has been reported previously [ 17 , 18 ], but widely replicated results are lacking with some studies reporting a negative association [ 17 , 18 ], others showing a positive association [ 19 , 20 ] or no general association [ 21 ]. Studies that have specifically evaluated IgE in patients with lung cancer have found a positive association with not only lung cancer diagnosis [ 22 ] but also increased mortality in females [ 23 ]. A possible explanation for this phenomenon is thought to be that the lung is directly exposed to the noxious stimuli which can be both allergens and carcinogens.…”