Table 1. Statistical analysis of seven analysed parameters.

Parameter	% Of change (out of benign patients)	P	Specificity (%)	Sensitivity (%)
MMP 9	−65	0.000003	80	100
MMP 3	−40	0.0007	87	73
p27	−9	0.025	80	33
Carbonyls	−17	0.025	80	38
IMANOX	−20	0.012	90	58
Cyclin D1	−34	0.0001	87	82
Ki67	−31	0.028	77	50

Abbreviations: MMP 9=matrix metalloproteinase-9; MMP 3=matrix metalloproteinase-3; IMANOX=antioxidative capacity.

The concentrations of the seven parameters that were found to be significantly lower in the pleural fluid of lung cancer patients as compared with non-malignant patients. The following were calculated: percentage of change in the mean levels of each parameter, statistical significance of the change (represented by P), the specificity and sensitivity of each parameter.