Comparable Systemic Superoxide Dismutase Activity in Advanced Lung Cancer Patients with and without Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Haryati Haryati; Ivan Chandra; Faisal Yunus; Erna Kusumawardhani; Mohamad Isa; Ali Assagaf

doi:10.31557/APJCC.2026.11.6.895

Authors

Haryati Haryati 1Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Lambung Mangkurat University/ Ulin General Hospital, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Ivan Chandra 1Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Lambung Mangkurat University/ Ulin General Hospital, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Faisal Yunus Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Indonesia University/Persahabatan Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Erna Kusumawardhani Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Lambung Mangkurat University/ Ulin General Hospital, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Mohamad Isa Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Lambung Mangkurat University/ Ulin General Hospital, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Ali Assagaf Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Lambung Mangkurat University/ Ulin General Hospital, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, Indonesia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31557/APJCC.2026.11.6.895

Keywords:

COPD, Lung Cancer, Oxidative Stress, Superoxide Dismutase

Abstract

Introduction: Lung cancer and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) constitute significant global health challenges, primarily driven by shared pathogenic mechanisms, including oxidative stress. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) is an essential antioxidant enzyme that diminishes reactive oxygen species. This study evaluated the differences in systemic SOD activity among lung cancer patients with and without comorbid COPD.

Materials and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was performed at Ulin Regional Hospital, Banjarmasin, from May to October 2024. Sixty-nine lung cancer patients were enrolled. COPD was diagnosed with post-bronchodilator spirometry in accordance with GOLD criteria. Plasma SOD activity was quantified via spectrophotometric examination. The Mann-Whitney U test was employed to evaluate group differences.

Results: COPD was 34.78% (n=24) among lung cancer patients, with 84.06% of the total individuals diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, primarily at Stage IV (81.16%). A significant difference in the distribution of COPD severity was identified across the study groups (p < 0.001). The median SOD activity in lung cancer patients with COPD was 0.028 IU/ml (IQR: 0.026–0.031), while in those without COPD it was 0.030 IU/ml (IQR: 0.028–0.035). Statistics showed no significant difference in SOD activity across groups (p = 0.668).

Conclusion: Advanced lung cancer patients demonstrated low median SOD activity irrespective of COPD status, with no statistically significant difference identified between the two groups. Due to the study’s cross-sectional design and the absence of a healthy control group, these findings should be viewed as an observational reflection of systemic antioxidant levels. These results suggest that factors associated with advanced malignancy may outweigh the oxidative impact of comorbid COPD in this specific population. Routine spirometry screening remains crucial for a comprehensive treatment approach to lung cancer patients.