Expression and Clinical Significance of Pim-1 and RON in Lung Cancer Patients with Benign and Malignant Pleural Effusion.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the expression differences and diagnostic value of Pim-1 and RON in lung cancer patients with benign and malignant pleural effusion.

METHODS

Forty lung cancer patients with benign pleural effusion (BPE) and forty with malignant pleural effusion (MPE) were enrolled. The relative expression levels of Pim-1 and RON mRNA in pleural effusion were measured using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of Pim-1 and RON.

RESULTS

Compared to the BPE group, Pim-1 expression levels were significantly increased in the MPE group (p < 0.05). RON expression levels were also significantly elevated in the MPE group (p < 0.01). ROC curve analysis revealed that the areas under the curve (AUC) for diagnosing MPE using pleural effusion Pim-1 and RON were 0.646 (95% CI 0.526 - 0.766) and 0.809 (95% CI 0.715 - 0.904), respectively. The AUC for the combined detection of Pim-1 and RON was 0.853 (95% CI 0.773 - 0.934).

CONCLUSIONS

Pim-1 and RON are highly expressed in malignant pleural effusion, suggesting a role in lung cancer metastasis to the pleural cavity. Detection of Pim-1 and RON in pleural effusion demonstrates potential diagnostic value for MPE.