Relationship of Serum Ascorbic Acid and CRP Levels in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients in the Medan City Population
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Abstract
Background: Lung cancer is the third-leading cause of death in cancer patients among both men and women in Indonesia. About 80% of lung cancer types are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). C-reactive protein is a protein that is produced by the liver and is known as a marker of ongoing inflammation, including malignancy. Many studies have shown the susceptibility of cancer cells, especially to high doses of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). Objective: This study was to determine the relationship between ascorbic acid and CRP serum levels in NSCLC patients in Medan City, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Methods: This study was an observational analysis of NSCLC patients from January to April 2023 with a cross-sectional method. There were 53 NSCLC patients enrolled in this study. Vitamin C and CRP serum levels were measured by a single blood sample, with vitamin C levels measured using a manual ELISA kit (BT Lab, China) and CRP quantitative levels using an immunoassay. The data was analyzed using the Spearman Correlation Test. Results: 53 subjects found more males than females (85%), with 37 patients undergoing cancer treatment. All the patients had vitamin C deficiency (< 0.2 mg/dL), with the highest value of 0.05 mg/dL and the lowest of 0.0001 mg/dL. 32 patients (60.37%) had a high CRP value (≥ 5 mg/dL), with the highest value of 7 mg/dL and the lowest value being 0.3 mg/dL. Higher CRP levels were more common in patients with on treatment and history of smoking. This study found that there was no relationship between CRP and vitamin C serum levels in NSCLC patients (r2 = 0.0034, p >0.05). Conclusion: There is no relationship between vitamin C and CRP serum levels in NSCLC patients among the Medan city population.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Elizabeth Napitupulu, Noni Novisari Soeroso, Putri Chairani Eyanoer, Elisna Syahruddin
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Creative Commons License All articles published in Annals of Medicine and Medical Sciences are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Elizabeth Napitupulu, Faculty of Medicine, HKBP Nommensen University, Medan, Indonesia.
Faculty of Medicine, HKBP Nommensen University, Medan, Indonesia.
Noni Novisari Soeroso, Thoracic Oncology Division, Department of Pulmonology & Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Chairuddin P. Lubis Universitas Sumatera Utara Hospital, Jl. Dr. Mansyur No. 5, Medan, 20155, Indonesia.
Thoracic Oncology Division, Department of Pulmonology & Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Chairuddin P. Lubis Universitas Sumatera Utara Hospital, Jl. Dr. Mansyur No. 5, Medan, 20155, Indonesia.
Putri Chairani Eyanoer, Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Jl. Dr. Mansyur No. 5, Medan, 20155, Indonesia.
Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Jl. Dr. Mansyur No. 5, Medan, 20155, Indonesia.
Elisna Syahruddin, Department of Pulmonology & Respiratory Medicine, Persahabatan Hospital, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Jl. Persahabatan Raya No. 1, Jakarta, 13230, Indonesia.
Department of Pulmonology & Respiratory Medicine, Persahabatan Hospital, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Jl. Persahabatan Raya No. 1, Jakarta, 13230, Indonesia.
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