In lung cancer patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) postoperative acute exacerbation can be fatal. However the predictive biomarkers for postoperative exacerbation of ILD have not been fully elucidated. The soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products is a lung-derived antiinflammatory protein that can prevent acute lung injury. This study aimed to elucidate its role in this fatal complication, especially focusing on the predictive potential of serum levels of soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products.

We retrospectively enrolled 152 patients with lung cancer and ILD who underwent lung resection and had blood samples collected before surgery. Independent predictors of postoperative acute exacerbation were evaluated in all patients and in subgroups based on the surgical procedure. Additionally serial changes in soluble receptor levels in these subgroups were evaluated.

Seventeen patients (11.2%) developed postoperative acute exacerbation. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed 547.4 pg/mL as the optimal soluble receptor level cutoff value. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed a significant association between soluble receptor serum levels (≤547.4 pg/mL) and postoperative acute exacerbation. In the subgroup analysis this independent association was observed only in the lobectomy group. Additionally lobectomy caused a significant reduction in postoperative soluble receptor levels.

Decreased baseline levels of circulatory soluble receptor might be a potential risk factor for postoperative acute exacerbation in patients with lung cancer and ILD. Moreover additional reduction in the levels of this antiinflammatory protein occurs because of lung resection.