Exhaled Breath Condensate pH in Lung Cancer, the Impact of Clinical Factors

Abstract

PURPOSE: Lung cancer may be associated with airway acidification due to enhanced airway inflammation and oxidative stress. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) pH is a non-invasive indicator of airway acidity; however, it is still unclear how EBC pH changes in lung cancer. The aim of the study was to investigate EBC pH in lung cancer together with clinical variables. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with lung cancer and 37 control subjects (21 patients with stable COPD and 16 non-COPD smokers) were enrolled. EBC was collected for pH, which was determined with the argon-purging method, compared among the groups and correlated with clinical variables of patients with lung cancer. RESULTS: No difference was found in EBC pH between patients with lung cancer and control subjects. However, endobronchial tumour localisation, squamous-cell carcinoma subtype and gastro-oesophageal reflux were associated with low EBC pH values. No relationship was observed between EBC pH and the presence of COPD, lung function variables or smoking history. CONCLUSIONS: Although, EBC pH is unchanged in lung cancer, lower EBC pH values are associated with distinct phenotypes. Our findings could facilitate further research on airway acidity in lung cancer.